MOH says they are less useful as risk is same here and abroad
By
Jessica Jaganathan & Leow Si Wan
SEVERAL more steps were taken on Friday to move Singapore closer to the mitigation phase in dealing with the H1N1 virus.
Last night, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said it would no longer issue travel advisories to Singaporeans. It said such advisories had become less useful, as the risk of catching H1N1, whether in an affected country or in Singapore, is about equal.
Eventually, MOH will also drop the list of countries with confirmed victims, and those that have exported cases to Singapore, as more countries have stopped reporting confirmed cases. For now, however, it will retain the list on its website.
MOH said many countries are no longer tracking the number of infections, or reporting them. A list of countries with reported confirmed cases would therefore be 'misleading', it said.
In announcing the moves, MOH said H1N1 has become a global pandemic and is probably here to stay, like other influenza strains. Thus, it said, managing the disease should be largely a matter of personal responsibility, stressing that Singaporeans should always observe good personal hygiene.
Also on Friday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said schools will no longer require students or staff who have returned from affected countries to take leave of absence. Those currently on such leave will be told they can return to school from next week.
Students at institutions of higher learning will return to school on Monday. Primary, secondary and junior college students will return on Tuesday, as the Youth Day holiday falls on Monday.
MOE added, however, that schools will continue to stay vigilant and keep up precautionary measures to fight the spread of H1N1. It said regular temperature-taking and checks to spot those with flu symptoms will continue. Those who are unwell will be asked to seek medical attention and to rest at home. Schools will also remind students about the importance of personal hygiene and social responsibility.
MOE said feedback from schools showed the precautionary measures taken in the past week to stop an outbreak of H1N1 had been carried out smoothly.
Friday's announcements are the latest steps in Singapore's moves to mitigate the effects of H1N1, rather than contain the disease.
The steps were taken because the virus has spread rapidly within the community: The latest MOH tally shows 969 victims here, with 91 new cases confirmed on Friday.
Please read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times
