This incident brought back memories of Sars in 2003, especially as a Singaporean caught the bug in Hong Kong and brought it back here. It is really necessary for Singapore to take precautions early to prevent the spread of this new flu, especially as many parents may plan to take their children to Hong Kong during the next long weekend.

I planned to travel to Hong Kong with my child and when I read this news, I was worried and called my travel agent. The agent told me the media is making a mountain out of a molehill.

The travel agency will allow cancellations only if the health authorities issue a travel alert or warning.

As a parent, I ask the Health Ministry whether it is safe to travel to Hong Kong during this period, what measures it will take and what individuals should do to minimise the risk of infection.

Eng Whan Seng

BACK TO SCHOOL

'Are there procedures in place on Monday when children return to school to start the new term?'
MS ETHEL CHONG, who posed this query to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. She says many families who holiday abroad during this week's short school break were likely to have chosen Hong Kong as a destination. Many may return this weekend