WORLD

Dec 31, 2019: Chinese authorities flag a series of Sars-like pneumonia cases in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province, to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which then makes the information public

Jan 1: A seafood market in Wuhan suspected to be at the centre of the outbreak is closed.

Jan 9: WHO says the outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan is linked to a novel (new) coronavirus from the same broad family as Sars.

A 61-year-old man in Wuhan is the frst to die from the virus, according to Chinese health authorities which announced it on Jan 11. He was reportedly a frequent customer at the seafood market where the virus is said to have arisen.

Jan 13: Thailand reports the first confirmed case of the virus outside China's borders. The patient is a Chinese woman who had recently returned from a trip to Wuhan

Jan 15: Japan confirms its first imported case, a Chinese man in his 30s who had returned from Wuhan on Jan 6. He had been hospitalised on Jan 10 but recovered and was discharged on Jan 15.

Meanwhile, a 69-year-old man in Hubei dies. His is the second death to be linked to the virus, Chinese authorities report on Jan 16.

Jan 20: South Korea reports its first confirmed case, and China confirms human-to-human transmission as healthcare workers begin to get infected.

Jan 23: Chinese authorities commence a lockdown on Wuhan. All public transport services, including buses, railways, flights and ferries, are suspended. Major highways are also shut down.

Residents are barred from leaving without permission from the authorities, but about five million manage to leave the city before the lockdown began, according to Wuhan Mayor Zhou Xianwang.

The number infected worldwide grows to over 600, with 17 deaths in China. WHO says it is still too early to declare a public health emergency of international concern.

Jan 25: Malaysia confirms its first three imported cases. They are the wife and grandsons of Singapore's first case.

Jan 31: WHO declares a global health emergency as the virus spreads to at least 18 countries.

Feb 1: In China, the death toll stands at 259 with 12,024 confirmed cases. In Singapore, 18 confirmed cases have been reported.

Feb 2: Wenzhou, around 800km from Wuhan, becomes the second city in China to be locked down. The Philippines reports the first coronavirus death outside China - a man from Wuhan, the WHO says. With the virus expected to impact on economic growth, China says it will pump 1.2 trillion yuan (S$235.4 billion) into the economy.

Feb 3: Chinese stocks collapse, with Shanghai plunging more than seven per cent on the first day of trading since the holiday.

China accuses Washington of spreading "panic", after it bans foreign nationals from visiting if they have been in China recently, a move followed by other countries and cruise lines.

After the single-biggest daily increase in deaths - 57 - the 361 fatalities from the new coronavirus passes the 349 mainland deaths from Sars crisis in 2002-2003. But with 17,200 confirmed infections, the mortality rate for the new coronavirus is far lower at around 2.1 per cent, compared with 9.6 per cent for Sars.

Feb 4: The number of confirmed deaths spikes to 425 in China, after authorities in Hubei province reported 64 new fatalities. Across China, there were 3,235 new confirmed infections, bringing the total number so far to 20,438.

Hong Kong reports its first death from the coronavirus, the second fatality outside mainland China. The 39-year-old man, who had an underlying illness, had taken the high-speed train from Hong Kong to Wuhan city in Hubei province on Jan 21, and from Changsha in Hunan province to Hong Kong on Jan 23, the Hospital Authority said.

Malaysian health authorities confirms the first citizen to be infected with the coronavirus. The 41-year-old man from Selangor state had travelled to Singapore for a meeting from Jan 16 to 23 with colleagues from China - including one from Wuhan.

A South Korean woman tests positive for the coronavirus after visiting Thailand, South Korean officials said on Tuesday (Feb 4), the first foreign tourist reported to have been infected after a visit to the south-east Asian nation.

A Belgian person, one of nine repatriated from Wuhan in China on Feb 2, tests positive for the coronavirus. The person is Belgium's first case of coronavirus.

Feb 5: The number of confirmed deaths in China rises to at least 490, after the authorities in Hubei province reports 65 new fatalities. The number of confirmed infections is 24,324.

At least 10 people on a cruise ship moored off the coast of Yokohama test positive for the new coronavirus, Japan's Health Minister said. There are 3,711 people on the Diamond Princess liner, comprising 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew members from 56 countries and regions. A second cruise ship - the World Dream - is also quarantined off Hong Kong, with 3,600 passengers and crew members barred from leaving.

South Korea reports three new cases of coronavirus, including two South Korean men who attended a conference in Singapore where they both came into contact with a Malaysian man infected with the same virus. This brings the total number of coronavirus patients in South Korea to 19.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology says it has applied for a local patent on an experimental Gilead Sciences drug that they believe might fight the novel coronavirus. Doctors at the Wuhan Children Hospital say pregnant women infected with the new coronavirus may be able to pass it to their unborn children.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expresses confidence that the country had the capability to overcome the outbreak of a Sars-like virus.

The WHO calls for US$675 million (S$935 million) in donations for a plan to fight the coronavirus, mainly through investment in countries considered particularly "at risk".

Feb 6: Death toll in mainland China jumps by 73 to 563, its third consecutive record daily rise. China's National Health Commission (NHC) says another 3,694 coronavirus cases were reported throughout the country, bringing the total to 28,018.

Feb 7: Dr Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor, dies after contracting the coronavirus. He is hailed as a hero by many for his attempt to sound early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control.

Feb 11: Death toll in China crosses the 1,000 mark to reach 1,016 while the number of infections grows to 42,638. Wuhan records the deaths of two foreigners - a US citizen and a Japanese citizen.

Feb 13: China's ruling Community Party ousts Jiang Chaoliang, the party secretary of Hubei province, and Ma Guoqiang, the top official in Wuhan amid widespread public outrage over the handling of the outbreak. Officials also added more than 14,840 cases to the total number of infected in Hubei province. That set a daily record, coming after officials in Hubei seemed to be including infections diagnosed by using lung scans of symptomatic patients.

The MS Westerdam cruise ship which spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard may have the coronavirus arrives in Cambodia with 455 passengers and 802 crew on board.

Feb 14: China's death toll rises to 1,380 but the number of new infections in hard-hit Hubei province falls after a change in case definitions caused a massive increase the previous day. The central province's health commission reported 116 more deaths and 4,823 new cases, the majority involving "clinically diagnosed" patients. Around 64,000 people have now been infected in the country.

China also declared the death of six health workers, underscoring the risks doctors and nurses have taken amid shortages of masks and protective suits.

Japan vows to step up testing and containment efforts for the coronavirus after suffering its first death - a woman in her 80s living in Kanagawa prefecture - and the confirmation of new cases, including a doctor and taxi driver.

Egypt confirms its first coronavirus case and said the affected person is a foreigner who has been put into isolation at hospital. This is also Africa's first case of infection.

Feb 15: The death toll in mainland China reaches 1,523, with 2,641 new confirmed infections. The total accumulated number so far has reached 66,492.

France announces the first coronavirus death outside Asia in the case of an 80-year-old male Chinese tourist.

Another 67 people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off Japan's coast test positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the number of people diagnosed on the vessel to 285, excluding a quarantine officer who also contracted the illness.

Malaysia says an 83-year-old American woman who had been a passenger on MS Westerdam, a cruise ship that docked in Cambodia after being shunned by other countries, has tested positive for the new coronavirus in Malaysia. She is the first passenger on the ship to test positive for the virus.

China's State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease announces on its social media platform it has developed a new rapid testing kit for the coronavirus. Authorities in charge of the Guangdong-based laboratory claim the test results can be shown within 15 minutes after collecting a drop of blood.

Feb 16: The death toll in mainland China jumps to 1,665 on Sunday after 142 more people died, although the number of new cases - at 2,009 - is a drop for a third consecutive day. There are 1,843 fresh cases in hard-hit Hubei province. A total of 68,500 people has now been infected.

Another 70 people aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan test positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total to 355 cases.

The government of Hubei, the centre of China's coronavirus outbreak, says a ban will be imposed on vehicle traffic across the province to curb the spread of the virus.

Malaysia bars passengers who had travelled on the MS Westerdam luxury cruise ship to enter the country, after an American woman who flew into the country was diagnosed with the coronavirus. It also cancels three other US-chartered flights that are supposed to bring more Westerdam passengers into Kuala Lumpur.

A taxi driver dies from the coronavirus in Taiwan, marking the first such death on the island and the fifth fatality outside mainland China. The deceased person was a 61-year-old man who had diabetes and hepatitis B. Taiwan has to date accumulated 20 confirmed cases.

Israel's Health Ministry instructs Israelis returning from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau to self-quarantine for two weeks, amid concerns over the spread of the disease.

Feb 17: China says the death toll from the coronavirus is now 1,770, while Hubei reports 1,933 new cases of infection, slightly higher than a day earlier. There is now a total of 70,548 confirmed cases in mainland China. A total of 10,844 patients has been discharged from hospital after recovering from the disease, says China.

The US evacuates 400 Americans from the Diamond Princess. An additional 99 people tests positive on Diamond Princess, taking the total number of positive cases on the cruise liner to 454.

Chinese state media says China may delay the meetings of the parliament, or National People's Congress (NPC), and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), both due to begin early next month.

Japan cancels the emperor's birthday celebrations next week as it moves to limit crowds to contain the spread of the coronavirus, and says it will close the Tokyo Marathon to all but elite professional runners.

Israel bans all non-Israelis who were in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau in the previous 14 days.

Thailand says it is increasing screening of visitors from Singapore and Japan entering the country in response to the widening outbreak.

Feb 18: The death toll in mainland China rises to 1,868, up by 98 from the previous day. Across mainland China, there are 1,886 new confirmed infections, bringing the total so far to 72,436.

Dr Liu Zhiming, the head of a leading hospital in China's central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of a coronavirus outbreak, dies of the disease.

Thailand's Public Health Ministry advises Thais planning trips to Singapore and Japan to postpone their visits, citing the rising number of people infected by the coronavirus in the two countries.

Japan plans to start trials of HIV medications to treat coronavirus patients, as an additional 88 people test positive on Diamond Princess. The new cases came from a total of 681 fresh results, taking the total number of positive cases on the cruise liner to 542.

Russia says it will suspend entry of Chinese citizens to its territory starting from Feb 20.

Feb 19: Mainland China has 1,749 new confirmed cases, the lowest since Jan 29. This brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 74,185, while death toll reaches 2,004.

Chinese health authorities says the coronavirus can be transmitted when someone is exposed to high concentrations of aerosol in a relatively closed environment for a long time.

Passengers on Diamond Princess begin disembarking after a controversial two-week quarantine that saw more than 621 people infected with the coronavirus as at Feb 19.

A 70-year-old man dies from the coronavirus in Hong Kong, the second death recorded by the territory. The Chinese territory's confirmed cases stands at 63.

South Korea reports 20 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus - increasing its total by nearly two-thirds - to 51. The new cases include a cluster of at least 16 centred on the southern city of Daegu.

Two people in Iran's Qom test positive for coronavirus, marking the country's first case of the disease. The two Iranians are declared dead later in the day, the first such deaths in the Middle East.

Feb 20: China reports a dramatic drop in new cases in Hubei, while scientists think the new virus may spread even more easily than previously believed. Hubei has 349 new confirmed cases, lowest since Jan 25, down from 1,693 a day earlier. Hubei's death toll rises by 108, down from 132 the previous day, bringing the total in China to over 2,118 deaths and 74,576 cases.

South Korea announces the first death in the country of a person infected with the coronavirus and dozens of new cases, bringing the total to 104. Of that national tally, many are from Daegu or nearby and have been traced to an infected person who attended a local church, a scenario that Korea's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) described as a "super-spreading event".

The Japanese government says two former passengers of the coronavirus-wracked Diamond Princess have died. The total number of infections diagnosed on board the Diamond Princess so far is now 634.

Iran confirms to AFP three new cases following the deaths of two elderly men, as Iraq bans travel to and from its neighbour.

Feb 21: Mainland China reports 889 new confirmed cases of infections. That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 75,465. Its death toll reaches 2,236, up by 118 from the previous day.

A 29-year-old doctor in Wuhan, Dr Peng Yinhua, dies from the disease. He is one of the youngest known fatalities of the epidemic and the latest among medical workers. The respiratory and critical illness doctor had planned to get married during the Lunar New Year holiday, but postponed his wedding to help treat coronavirus patients.

South Korea's confirmed cases rises to 204, with the city of Daegu accounting for most of the new cases. The country now has the second-highest national total outside China.

A Hong Kong police officer has been confirmed infected, the first officer to test positive in the Asian financial hub as dozens of other officers were quarantined over concerns of contagion. The 48-year-old officer had attended a banquet with 59 other police in the city's western district on Feb 18.

More than 400 cases of the new coronavirus are detected in prisons in China's Hubei, Shandong and Zhejiang provinces, fuelling concerns about new clusters of the epidemic. Top officials deemed responsible for the outbreaks are fired.

Iran confirms 13 more new coronavirus cases. Its total cases now stands at 18, with four of those people having died.

An Israeli woman who disembarked the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship near Tokyo tests positive upon return to her home country.

Six Italians test positive for the coronavirus in the northern Italian region of Lombardy in the first known cases of local transmission in Italy of the potentially deadly illness. A 78-year old Italian from the Veneto region becomes Italy's first fatality.

Lebanon confirms its first case in a 45-year-old Lebanese woman who had travelled from Qom in Iran.

Feb 22: China reports a decrease in the number of new deaths and new cases: 397 new cases, down from 889 cases a day earlier. The total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China is 76,288 and its death toll is now 2,345. The NHC also revises its figures for Feb 19 and 20.

Wuhan requires patients who are discharged from hospital after recovering from the virus, now known as the Covid-19 virus, to go on a 14-day quarantine at designated places for medical observation. This follows news that some discharged patients have tested positive for the second time.

A super spreader and a secretive church - Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the south-eastern city of Daegu - are now at the centre of the spread of the coronavirus in South Korea, with the tally of cases doubling to 433.

India issues a fresh travel advisory asking citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Singapore as part of attempts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Feb 23: South Korea raises its virus alert level to the highest red as the number of coronavirus cases spikes to 604 and the death toll hits six, with a majority of cases linked to the Shincheonji church in Daegu.

China's death toll from the coronavirus epidemic rises to 2,442 after the government says 97 more people has died, all but one of them in the epicentre of Hubei province. The NHC also confirms another 648 new cases in China, higher than a day earlier.

Feb 24: Wall Street's three major averages plunge as investors run for safety after a surge in coronavirus cases outside China fanned worries about the global economic impact of a potential pandemic.

Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iraq and Oman confirm their first novel coronavirus cases.

South Korea reports 161 more coronavirus cases, taking the nationwide total to 763 and making it the world's largest total outside China. Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines say they are suspending flights to Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city with the largest number of coronavirus cases, for the time being.

Four Chinese provinces, Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou, lower their coronavirus emergency response measures.

Wuhan announces some people who are deemed healthy will be allowed to leave the city, whose transport links have been severed since Jan 23. But the move is revoked on the same day.

Feb 25: China reports another 71 deaths from the novel coronavirus, the lowest daily number of fatalities in over two weeks, which raises the toll to 2,663.

Austria and Switzerland confirm their first cases.

South Korea says it aims to test more than 200,000 members of the Shincheonji church as President Moon Jae-in says the situation is "very grave". South Korea's tally of cases rises to 977.

Italy's coronavirus infections spread south to Tuscany and Sicily, as the civil protection agency reports a surge in the number of infected people and Rome convenes emergency talks. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has blamed poor management in a hospital in the country's north for the outbreak, which has caused seven deaths in Italy so far and infected the largest number of people in Europe.

Feb 26: China reports 52 new coronavirus deaths, the lowest figure in more than three weeks, bringing the death toll to 2,715. Five Chinese regions - north-western Chinese regions of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, the southwestern province of Sichuan, the north-eastern province of Jilin and the southern island of Hainan - downgrade their emergency response level after assessing that health risks from the coronavirus outbreak have receded.

South Korea reports 284 new cases of coronavirus, including a US soldier, pushing the total tally to 1,261.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tells diplomats in Geneva the number of new cases reported outside China has exceeded the number of new cases in China for the first time.

Greece, Algeria and Brazil report first cases, all imported from Italy.

A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan tests positive for the coronavirus for a second time, the first person in the country to be reinfected.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms the first possible "community spread" of the coronavirus in the US.

Feb 27: China reports 29 more deaths, the lowest daily figure in almost a month, and the number of fresh infections rises slightly. The death toll now stands at 2,744 in mainland China.

South Korea reports its largest daily spike of 505 new coronavirus infections, outnumbering China for the first time as the government restricted exports of face masks amid a supply shortage. This brings South Korea's total tally to 1,766.

Iran says its death toll has risen to 26, by far the highest number outside China, and the total number of infected people now stands at 245, including several senior officials.

Denmark, Netherlands and Estonia report their first coronavirus cases.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan will close all public schools from March 2 to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Feb 28: Mainland China says it has 327 new confirmed cases of infections, down from 433 cases a day earlier.

That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 78,824.

New Zealand, Mexico and Nigeria confirm their first cases.

French health minister says the number of confirmed cases in France has more than doubled in 24 hours, with the tally now at 38 from 18.

The World Health Organisation raises its global risk assessment of the new coronavirus to its highest level after the epidemic spread to sub-Saharan Africa and caused financial markets to plunge.

---

SINGAPORE

Jan 2: The Ministry of Health (MOH) alerts doctors to look out for suspected patients with pneumonia who have recently returned from Wuhan, and advises travellers to Wuhan to monitor their health.

Jan 3: Singapore begins temperature screenings at Changi Airport for all travellers arriving from Wuhan.

Jan 4: MOH is notified of the first suspected case of the coronavirus, a three-year-old girl from China with pneumonia and a travel history to Wuhan. The girl tests negative for the virus the next day.

Jan 10-20: MOH is notified of another suspected case, a 26-year-old man from China. More suspected cases are reported on Jan 16, 17, 18 and 20 but all test negative.

Jan 22: A multi-ministry task force is set up to fight the infectious disease on all fronts.

Temperature screenings at Changi Airport are expanded to cover all inbound travellers arriving from mainland China, not just those from Wuhan.

The definition of suspect cases is also expanded to include those with pneumonia and a travel history to China, and those with acute respiratory infection who had been to any hospital in China, within 14 days of the onset of symptoms.

MOH issues a travel advisory stating that travellers should avoid non-essential travel to Wuhan.

Jan 23: Singapore confirms its first imported case, a 66-year-old man from Wuhan who arrived here from Guangzhou with his family on Jan 20. He is warded in an isolation room at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Contact tracing is initiated, with close contacts to be quarantined.

The travel advisory is updated to state that Singaporeans should avoid travelling to Wuhan and the rest of Hubei province.

Temperature checks are also expanded to land and sea checkpoints, in addition to ongoing checks at the airport.

Budget carrier Scoot cancels its daily flight to Wuhan after Chinese authorities lock down the city

Jan 24: Two more confirmed cases are reported, including a 53-year-old woman from Wuhan and a 37-year-old man, also from Wuhan, who is the son of the first confirmed case. The woman is warded at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), while the man is warded at SGH. Jan 26

A fourth confirmed case is reported: a 36-year-old man from Wuhan who arrived here with his family on Jan 22. He is warded in an isolation room at Sengkang General Hospital.

Jan 27: The multi-ministry task force announces new measures, including a mandatory 14-day leave of absence for staff in the education, healthcare and eldercare sectors, as well as students, if they have been to China in the previous two weeks. Some firms say they will follow suit.

Temperature screening is expanded to cover all incoming flights, with extra attention to passengers on flights from China.

Measures are also announced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to help businesses affected by the outbreak.

Meanwhile, various sites are designated government quarantine facilities, including chalets and hostels at the National University of Singapore.

The fake news law is used against false claims about the coronavirus for the first time. The target is a user-made post on the HardwareZone forum claiming someone in Singapore had died from the virus.

The travel advisory now recommends deferring all travel to Hubei and all non-essential travel to mainland China.

Later, a fifth case is reported. A 56-year-old woman from Wuhan is warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

Jan 28: Two more cases are confirmed, bringing the total to seven. The new cases are both Chinese nationals from Wuhan.

MOH starts contacting some 2,000 recent travellers from Hubei who are in Singapore, about half of whom are on short-term visas. Those assessed to be at higher risk are quarantined.

Jan 29: New visitors who travelled to Hubei in the past two weeks and those with Chinese passports issued in Hubei are blocked from entering or transiting through Singapore.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) suspends the issuance of all forms of new visas, previously issued short-term and multiple-visit visas, as well as visa-free transit facilities, to those with Hubei passports.

Three more cases are confirmed, all of whom are Chinese nationals from Wuhan.

Passengers who had previously been stranded here after airlines cancelled flights to Wuhan are flown back on a specially designated Scoot flight.

Jan 30: The Government announces that it will distribute 5.2 million face masks to 1.3 million households by Feb 9, with each household getting a pack of four. Errant retailers who have been profiteering from the sale of masks will also be questioned.

Ninety-two Singaporeans who were stuck in Wuhan after the lockdown are flown back to Singapore aboard a Scoot flight. They are quarantined for the next two weeks.

Another three cases are confirmed, bringing the total to 13. All cases to date are Chinese nationals from Wuhan.

Jan 31: WHO declares the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern.

The multi-ministry task force announces that all travellers who went to mainland China in the last 14 days will no longer be allowed to enter or transit in Singapore.

Immigration authorities suspend issuing new visas to Singapore, and transit passage through it, to those with China passports, with immediate effect. But Chinese passport holders who can show that they had not been to China recently may be allowed entry.

The first Singaporean is confirmed to be infected with the virus. She was one of the 92 Singaporeans flown back home on Jan 30.

Feb 1: Two more imported cases are confirmed.

DPM Heng Swee Keat says the Government will provide targeted support to sectors directly affected by the virus.

Feb 3: There were 524 people under quarantine in Singapore as of Feb 2 night, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament.

Landlords who evict tenants who are on home quarantine order or leave of absence, or based on nationality during the coronavirus situation could be barred from renting to foreign work pass holders in future, the Government said late Feb 3 evening.

Feb 4: Singapore recorded its first cases of local coronavirus transmission, with four women in the Republic infected who had not travelled to Wuhan.

Two work at Yong Thai Hang, a Chinese health products shop in Cavan Road in Lavender which caters to Chinese tour groups.

The third is a maid of one of the women, while the fourth is a tour guide who had taken groups to the same shop.

Another two confirmed cases were also announced on Tuesday. The two were among a group of 92 people flown back to Singapore from Wuhan on a Scoot flight last Thursday.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Singapore to 24.

The Government said that large gatherings and communal activities in schools, pre-schools and eldercare facilities would be suspended following news of local transmission in Singapore.

Feb 5: Four more cases of the coronavirus infection were confirmed, including the youngest patient confirmed so far in Singapore, a six-month-old baby who is the child of an infected couple. The total number of confirmed cases in Singapore stands at 28.

Three of the new cases are linked to the cluster of local transmissions announced on Feb 4 - the baby, his father, and the husband of an infected tour guide. The fourth case is an imported one involving a Chinese tourist from Wuhan.

This means there are now seven cases in Singapore's first cluster of local transmissions.

The cluster is linked to a group of 20 tourists from Guangxi, China, that visited health products shop Yong Thai Hang in Lavender.

Feb 6: Two more Singaporeans were confirmed to be infected by the coronavirus, bringing the number of infected citizens here to 11. The total number of cases in Singapore is now 30.

One of the new cases did not travel to China recently and does not seem to be linked to previous cases.

The second new case went to a conference at the Grand Hyatt Singapore hotel last month, where three other attendees - two South Koreans and a Malaysian - tested positive for the virus after they left Singapore.

The condition of two previously confirmed cases has also worsened, said MOH. One patient is now in critical condition in the intensive care unit, and another requires additional oxygen support.

Feb 7: MOH confirmed three additional cases of the virus, all of whom do not appear to have links to previous cases or travel history to China.

As there are now a few of such local cases, MOH raised the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) level to orange, just below the highest level of red.

The ministry also implemented temperature screening and closer controls of entry points into its hospitals, and said it will introduce measures to care for patients with pneumonia separately from others.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that schools will suspend inter-school and external activities till the end of the March school holidays.

Supermarkets here saw a number of cases of panic buying as shoppers rushed to buy items such as rice, instant noodles and toilet paper.

Feb 8: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the nation in a video telecast, saying that Singapore is much better prepared to deal with the new virus because of its experience tackling the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) 17 years ago, and said the outbreak is a test of the country's social cohesion and psychological resilience.

Political leaders and experts also came out in force to call for calm and urged people to be responsible, following a second day of panic buying of provisions at stores.

Meanwhile, supermarkets worked around the clock to restock their shelves.

Later that day, seven new cases of the virus were announced - five of which are linked to previously announced cases.

Feb 9: A second evacuation flight brought back 174 Singaporeans and their family members from Wuhan in Hubei province, where they were trapped since the lockdown on Jan 23.

All the evacuees were quarantined upon arrival to be monitored for symptoms and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

Four more confirmed cases were discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of those discharged to six. But three more cases were confirmed, including a man who had fetched his grandchild from outside Pat's Schoolhouse Kovan, and a Bangladeshi national.

Feb 10: One more patient was discharged from hospital while another two cases were confirmed, including a Certis Cisco officer who had served quarantine orders on two individuals prior to falling sick.

Feb 11: Singapore and Malaysia said they would set up a joint working group to strengthen cooperation in tackling the spread of the virus.

Two more cases were discharged and another two confirmed, bringing the total of those recovered and infected to nine and 47 respectively.

One of the new cases is a Bangladeshi worker who had worked at the same location as the previous infected Bangladeshi worker: A worksite at Seletar Aerospace Heights. This worksite becomes Singapore's third infection cluster.

Feb 12: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) gave details on how people on leave of absence as a result of the virus could apply for daily $100 support.

About 300 DBS employees vacated their office at Marina Bay Financial Centre after a co-worker was confirmed to have been infected with the virus.

The infected DBS employee is one of three new cases announced. The other two cases are a pastor and staff member who went to work at Grace Assembly of God church.

This church would later become one of the largest infection clusters in Singapore.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong called on Singaporeans to show their support to healthcare workers and not shun them, and said one million masks would be distributed to general practitioners and specialists in private practice, who need them to protect themselves, their staff and patients.

Feb 13: A $77 million package to help taxi and private-hire drivers, co-funded by the Government, was announced.

MOM and its partners also announced that public healthcare institutions would help workers who had their leave cancelled get refunds, or defray all costs.

Eight more cases of the virus were announced, bringing the total number of those infected here to 58.

The new cases have links to previous cases, including the Grace Assembly of God cluster, and the Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site.

Feb 14: MOH advised doctors to give five days of sick leave to patients with respiratory symptoms.

It also reactivated its network of Public Health Preparedness Clinics, which will provide subsidised treatment, investigations and medication for patients with respiratory symptoms.

Nine more cases of infection were announced, including Singapore's first healthcare worker to be infected with the virus, a general anaesthesiologist at a private hospital.

Feb 15: One more case was discharged, adding to a new total of 18 who have recovered from the virus. Five new cases were confirmed, all of whom have links to previous cases.

The Catholic church in Singapore suspended mass indefinitely from noon.

Feb 16: Another case was discharged, but three new cases were confirmed. These include a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular who worked at Tengah Air Base.

Prior to hospital admission, he had attended church service at Grace Assembly of God's Tanglin premises.

Feb 17: Mr Gan, together with Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu and Minister for Education Ong Ye Kun met Buddhist, Taoist, Sikh and Hindu religious leaders to give them guidance on precautionary measures that could be taken to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

A new, stricter stay-home notice was implemented to replace the current leave of absence scheme. Those under the notice cannot leave their homes at all for 14 days, with authorities warning that the Infectious Diseases Act can be used to prosecute anyone who flouts the rules.

Five more cases were discharged while two new cases were found, including a one-year-old baby boy who was evacuated from Wuhan on Feb 9.

Feb 18: Five cases were discharged, bringing the total number of those who have recovered to 29.

One of these cases is the one-year-old baby boy announced the day before, making him the fastest patient to recover from the virus so far.

Four new cases were announced, three of whom are linked to the Grace Assembly of God cluster, which now accounts for 21 infections - about a quarter - of infections here.

Feb 19: Three new cases of the disease were confirmed, including a 57-year-old woman who was first warded as a dengue patient at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH).

Five cases were discharged, bringing the total number of those who had recovered from the disease to 34.

Among them was Singapore's first confirmed case of the virus, a 66-year-old man from Wuhan.

Feb 20: The total number of cases rose to 85 after a 36-year-old Chinese national, who is a work pass holder here, was confirmed with the virus. Three more patients were discharged from hospital.

MOH also said that the 57-year-old woman who had been confirmed the day before was the first person here to be infected with both dengue and the coronavirus disease, called known as Covid-19.

Feb 21: Ten more patients infected with the virus were discharged, the highest number since Singapore reported its first case on Jan 23. But MOH clarified that this did not mean the fight against the virus was over, as the chance remained that the virus could be reseeded into the country from elsewhere around the globe. One more person was confirmed with the virus, bringing the total to 86.

Feb 22: Three new patients were confirmed with the virus, raising the total to 89. Two more cases were discharged - a 28-year-old permanent resident who works at Chinese health products shop Yong Thai Hang, Singapore's first local infection cluster, and her six-month-old son.

Feb 23: MOH issued an advisory for travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea, following a spike in the number of cases there. It added that the definition of suspected cases would be expanded to include people with pneumonia or severe respiratory infection with breathlessness, who had been to the two areas within 14 days before the onset of symptoms.

Two more patients were discharged from hospital here, bringing the total of those discharged to 51 - more than half of those infected here. No new cases were confirmed on this day.

Feb 24: Two more cases were discharged and one more confirmed. MOH said that seven people were in the intensive care unit, up from five previously.

Feb 25: Five more cases were discharged, and one new case - Case 91 - confirmed.

MOH said that Case 91 and her husband, Case 83, were the missing links between the Grace Assembly of God and the Life Church and Missions clusters. The pair were not sick during investigations, but through a world-first use of serological testing, it was discovered that they had been infected with the virus in late January.

MOH revealed that the pair had likely been infected by travellers from Wuhan, Cases 8 and 9, who had visited The Life Church and Missions on Jan 19. They had then passed the infection to Case 66 - the first patient in the Grace Assembly of God cluster - at a Chinese New Year Gathering in Mei Hwan Drive on Jan 25.

The multi-ministry task force also announced travel restrictions on new visitors from the areas of Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea following a spike in cases there.

Feb 26: Three Chinese nationals were taken to task for breaching measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The first, a 45-year-old PR, had his PR status stripped and was barred from re-entering Singapore after breaching his stay-home notice requirements.

MOH announced that the other two Chinese nationals, a couple, were expected to be charged on Feb 28 under the Infectious Diseases Act for allegedly giving false information to MOH officials and obstructing contact tracing.

Four more cases were also announced to have been discharged, bringing the total of those recovered here to 62, while two more cases were confirmed.

Feb 27: Four more cases were discharged, making a total of 66 who had recovered from the disease.

However, three new cases were confirmed, including a 12-year-old Raffles Institution (RI) student and his 64-year-old family member.

MOE said that classes at RI and the MOE Language Centre in Bishan, where the infected student attended lessons, would be suspended the next day.

Feb 28: Two new cases, both from e-learning solutions company Wizlearn Technologies, were announced. The company was declared a new cluster by MOH, making it Singapore's fifth after two previous church clusters were merged into one.

Three more patients were also discharged, bringing the total of those who had fully recovered from the virus to 69.

Feb 29: The number of cases in Singapore crossed 100 to hit 102, with four new cases confirmed which were all linked to the Wizlearn Technologies cluster. Three more patients were discharged.

March 1: Two more patients were discharged, and four new cases confirmed. This meant 74 had recovered, out of the 106 who had been infected to date.

March 2: Two new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of those infected here to 108. One was linked to the Wizlearn Technologies cluster, which had 13 cases, and the other was linked to a family member of the Raffles Institution student who was confirmed to be infected earlier. Four more patients were also discharged.

March 3: Singapore expanded its travel restrictions to Iran, northern Italy and South Korea. The multi-ministry task force also said that all incoming visitors with symptoms at checkpoints here may be tested for the virus.

Despite the measures, Mr Wong cautioned that Singaporeans should be mentally prepared for a spike in cases.

Two new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of those infected here to 110.

March 4: Two new cases of infection were confirmed, bringing the total here to 112. One more patient was discharged.

March 5: Two more patients were discharged, but five new cases were confirmed.

One of these was an imported case - a French male work pass holder who had been in France, Portugal and Britain between Feb 8 and March 3.

The other four were part of a new cluster involving a private dinner function at Safra Jurong on Feb 15. The restaurant they ate at, Joy Garden, was subsequently closed and sanitised.

The new Safra Jurong cluster has eight people, including an RI boy who was previously confirmed to be infected.

March 6: A new SG Clean task force was set up to promote social responsibility and personal hygiene here, in an effort to combat the virus. Mr Gan warned that it is "inevitable" that Singapore will see a death from the virus.

Later that night, MOH announced 13 new cases here - the biggest jump so far, bringing the total to 130 cases. Nine of the cases were linked to the cluster at Safra Jurong. Only one case was discharged.

March 7: Eight cases were discharged, while eight more were confirmed. Of the eight new cases, four were from the Safra Jurong cluster. The dinner event that patients from the cluster attended turned out to be a Chinese New Year celebration by members of a Hokkien singing group.

It was further revealed that several of those infected in the cluster were involved in singing activities and classes conducted by the People's Association (PA) at various community clubs and residents' committees.

MOH announced that activities and classes at CCs and RCs that were attended by those infected in the cluster would be suspended for two weeks.

March 8: Twelve more cases were confirmed, nine of which were linked to the cluster at Safra Jurong, bringing the total of infected here to 150. This meant there was a total of 30 cases linked to the Safra Jurong cluster, making it the second-largest cluster behind the combined Grace Assembly of God / Life Church and Missions Singapore mega-cluster, which had 32 cases at the time.

March 9: MOH announced that as of March 7, foreigners who are short-term visit pass holders have had to pay for their Covid-19 treatment here. Testing fees remain free for foreigners and locals alike, and the Government continues to pay for the hospital bills for Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders admitted to public hospitals for the virus, said MOH.

Ten more cases were confirmed, six of which were part of the Safra Jurong cluster. It became the largest cluster here with 36 cases, surpassing the 33 in the Grace Assembly of God / Life Church and Missions Singapore mega-cluster.

Three more cases were discharged, bringing the total of those recovered here to 93.

March 10: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced that all social activities for seniors organised by government agencies will be suspended for 14 days from March 11. This comes amid a growing number of infections linked to a Chinese New Year dinner at Safra Jurong - at the time Singapore's largest coronavirus cluster - attended by many senior citizens.

Care services for seniors such as nursing homes, inpatient and day hospices, senior care centre services and home-based care services, will continue to run but with additional precautions.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) also announced new measures for passengers and crew of private or corporate jets that will kick in at 11.59pm on March 12. Passengers and crew of these planes have to make health declarations before they fly into Singapore.

Should any passenger or crew member have a fever of 37.5 deg C and above, or have respiratory symptoms, the plane operator will be told to operate the flight as a medical evacuation flight, with the unwell person considered a patient.

Patients on such flights need to be tested negative for Covid-19 at the country they are departing from before they can fly to Singapore.

These patients will also need to have a hospital in Singapore to receive them, and a risk assessment of the patients must be provided to the hospital.

As for private or corporate jets that do not get classified as medical evacuation flights, if any of their passengers and crew have fever or have other respiratory illnesses when they arrive here, and they are also not Singapore residents, they will not be allowed to enter Singapore.

CAAS did not say why it issued the new requirements, but it comes after MOH announced on March 9 that a 64-year-old Indonesian man, who landed in Singapore at Seletar Airport on Saturday, was confirmed to have the coronavirus. Seletar airport is often used for business jets and private jets.

MOH on March 10 announced six more cases of the coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases to 166, of which 93 have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital.

All the 1,631 passengers on board the Costa Fortuna cruise ship, which was rejected entry in Malaysia and Thailand but allowed to dock in Singapore, were cleared to disembark from Costa Fortuna cruise ship after 14 hours.

March 11: DPM Heng Swee Keat said that the Government is working on a second stimulus package as the global coronavirus situation has worsened since the Budget was presented in February.

Like the existing $4 billion package announced in the Budget on Feb 18, the additional stimulus will be aimed at helping workers keep their jobs, he said.

It will also help small and medium-sized enterprises make the best of the crisis, and support workers who are retrenched.

MOH announced the biggest number of imported cases Singapore has seen in a day. Of the 12 new cases, eight - including three Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) servicemen who were in France on duty - are imported.

The other imported cases involve people who travelled recently to France, Indonesia, Japan, Spain, the Philippines, Britain and the United States.

Another case announced on March 10 is also an RSAF serviceman who was in France. This means that at least four servicemen are now infected.

Among the new cases are also an emergency department nurse from Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, and her husband.

MOH also said that two clusters - Yong Thai Hang and Grand Hyatt - were no longer active clusters and have been closed.

The ministry also highlighted a sub-cluster of the Safra Jurong cluster, involving three patients linked to the Boulder+ Gym.

Three more patients were discharged, bringing the total number of patients who have recovered and discharged from hospital to 96.

March 12: In a second televised address to the nation after WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, PM Lee Hsien Loong said that the outbreak will continue for a year or longer.

He added that Singapore's disease outbreak response level would remain at orange and would not go to red, the highest level, with no plans to lock down the country like what some countries have done.

PM Lee said that Singapore will have to tighten up travel restrictions further temporarily, though he said the country cannot completely shut itself off from the world.

Singapore is also freeing up intensive care unit and hospital beds and facilities, to create additional capacity to meet any surge in virus cases.

If there is a large spike in cases, Singapore is planning to hospitalise only the more serious cases, said PM Lee. Those with mild symptoms would be encouraged to see their family GP and rest at home.

Singapore will also implement more temporary social distancing measures, such as suspending school, staggering work hours, or compulsory telecommuting, if there is a surge in patient numbers.

Separately, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said that all 70 mosques in Singapore will be closed for five days for cleaning from March 13 and no congregational prayers will be held on that day.

This is a preventive measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus following the infection of two Singaporeans who attended a mass religious gathering in Selangor, Malaysia.

Around 90 Singaporeans had attended the gathering in late February, and some of them are frequent congregants of some local mosques.

The Catholic Church also said that public mass for Catholics here will remain suspended in order to minimise the risk of coronavirus spread, a week after it said it would be resuming Masses starting March 14.

MOH announced nine new coronavirus cases in Singapore, including two Singaporean men who attended the mass religious gathering in Malaysia. Five of these are imported cases, and one is linked to a previous case. This brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus patients here to 187.

March 13: Many new measures to contain the import of Covid-19 cases as well as stem the spread in Singapore were announced by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, who chair the multi-ministry task force on tackling the virus.

The measures cover more border restrictions and social distancing measures including limiting the size of gatherings to 250 people.

Singaporeans who have made plans to travel during the upcoming March school holidays are advised to review their plans.

Singaporeans are also advised to be cautious when travelling to countries affected by the Covid-19 disease, especially those which have exported cases, said the ministry in a press statement. This includes neighbouring countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as countries farther afield, like Britain.

From 11.59pm on March 15, all new visitors who had been to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry or transit.

Also from 11.59pm on March 15, Singaporeans and permanent residents who had been to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days will be issued a stay-home notice.

Any visitor who shows signs of symptoms at the checkpoints will also have to serve a 14-day stay-home notice, even if they test negative for Covid-19. This is an extension of an earlier measure where such travellers must undergo a swab test at the checkpoint.

With immediate effect, Singapore will cease port calls for all cruise vessels.

All ticketed cultural, sports and entertainment events, with 250 participants or more, must be deferred or cancelled. For events that have already been committed to, organisers must demonstrate that satisfactory precautionary measures have been put in place before they can proceed.

For gatherings, organisers should reduce crowding and improve ventilation. For example, participants could be seated at least 1m apart from one another, and reduce contact such as by not shaking hands.

Employers should put in place measures to reduce close contact, such as implementing tele-commuting and video-conferencing, staggering work hours and allowing staff to commute at off-peak hours.

At public venues, measures to reduce close contact could include seats set at least a metre apart at dining venues, while entertainment venues and tourist attractions such as casinos, cinemas, theme parks, museums and galleries could limit the number of visitors at any one time and increase spacing among visitors.

MOH also announced 13 new Covid-19 cases, including nine that are imported. The imported cases include two Singaporeans who got the virus after attending a mass religious event in Malaysia. This brings the total number of cases here to 200.

One more patient was discharged, bringing the total number of people who have recovered to 97.

March 14: MOH announced 12 new Covid-19 cases, including nine that are imported. The imported cases include a 44-year-old man who attended a mass religious gathering in Malaysia. There are now five local cases linked to the event.

In total, there are now 212 confirmed coronavirus cases in Singapore. Eight more patients were also discharged from hospital, bringing the number who have fully recovered and discharged from hospital to 105.

March 15: MOH said that Singaporeans should defer all non-essential travel to reduce their risks of contracting the virus during the pandemic. This advisory will apply for 30 days and is subject to further review.

Border restrictions have also been tightened to include all Asean states, as the Republic moves to further reduce the growing risk of Covid-19 importation.

From 11.59pm on March 16, all travellers - including Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and short-term visitors - entering Singapore with recent travel history to Asean countries, Japan, Switzerland, or Britain within the last 14 days will be issued a 14-day stay-home notice.

But Singaporeans and Malaysians travelling into Singapore from Malaysia via sea or land will be exempted from the new border restrictions on Asean countries, due to the close proximity and high inter-dependency between the two neighbours. Separate arrangements for precautions are being worked out by a bilateral joint working group.

Separately, MOE said that students on official overseas placements, including all internships and exchange programmes, will be asked to return to Singapore as soon as possible.

MOH also announced 14 new Covid-19 cases, including nine that are imported. It is the highest number of new cases Singapore has reported in a single day. The total number of cases now stands at 226.

March 16: All mosques in Singapore will continue to be closed until March 26, in a move to curb the coronavirus from spreading any further in religious institutions in the country. The extension of the closure of all 70 mosques for at least another nine days was announced by Muis.

MOM, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation said that employees who insist on proceeding with non-essential, non work-related travel outside Singapore may have to use their annual leave to serve out their quarantine, stay-home notice or company-imposed leave of absence periods.

If employees do not have enough annual leave, employers may require them to use advance leave or take no-pay leave, the tripartite partners said in their guidelines to employers in the wake of border restrictions announced by MOH on Sunday.

After Malaysia's March 16 night announcement of a nationwide lockdown from March 18 to 31, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing assured that Singapore is not facing any immediate risks of running out of food or other supplies brought in by retailers. This follows concerns from Singaporeans about the implications of Malaysia's move.

MOH announced 17 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily figure to date. Of these, 11 are imported. The total number of people confirmed infected is now 243.

Four more patients were discharged from hospital. This means 109 people have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from hospital.

March 17: MOM said that the Government is looking into providing financial support for companies that need to urgently house workers affected by Malaysia's announcement to implement a two-week movement control order.

It will also work with hotel and dormitory providers to provide lower cost rentals.

PM Lee Hsien Loong also said that the flow of goods and cargo between Singapore and Malaysia, including food supplies, will continue, in spite of Malaysia's impending lockdown.

PM Lee said he received this reassurance from Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin when they discussed the situation on March 17.

To help with rental costs for temporary accommodations for workers here affected by Malaysia's lockdown, the authorities are also rolling out a plan to give orgasisations $50 per worker per night for 14 nights.

MOH announced 23 new Covid-19 cases, including 17 that are imported. This is the highest number of new cases Singapore recorded in a day so far, bringing the total number of cases to 266.

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singapore will not rule out a lockdown to tackle the growing threat of the coronavirus outbreak, but it is not an option currently on the cards. He co-chairs the multi-ministry task force set up to deal with the coronavirus situation.

Seven out of 17 of the imported cases were Singaporeans. Five of the Singaporeans had travelled to Europe, currently the epicentre of the virus, and had been to countries such as Germany, France and Italy.

Five more cases have been discharged, bringing the number of discharged and fully recovered cases to 114.

March 18: Singaporeans and residents returning to the country will all have to serve a 14-day isolation period from March 20, 11.59pm , the Government announced. This also applies to all other travellers entering Singapore.

People in the country should defer all travel overseas, instead of deferring only non-essential travel previously.

This comes as the number of new cases announced in Singapore jumped by an all-time high of 47. This brings the total number of cases to 313.

In line with recent trends, 33 of the new cases are imported and 30 of them involve Singapore residents returning from abroad.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said there are plans to convert normal wards into isolation wards, and quarantine facilities could be converted into care centres for Covid-19 patients with less severe symptoms if the number of cases here continue to rise. Non-Covid patients could also be transferred to private hospitals to free up capacity at public hospitals, he said.

The People's Association (PA) said the popular Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar it organises will not be returning this year, in the light of the coronavirus situation and the need to practise social distancing in public venues.

NTUC said that a one-time payment of up to $300 will be given to about 108,000 workers who lose their jobs or suffer income losses due to the coronavirus outbreak.

March 19: MOE, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said that schools and kindergartens will reopen on March 23 as planned, but with stricter measures to prevent the coronavirus being spread by those who had returned from trips abroad during the holidays.

Students and staff members of schools, pre-schools and student care centres will be given 14-day leave of absence if they returned from overseas on or after March 14. The date of their return to Singapore will be taken as Day Zero of the 14 days.

Students who will have to miss classes will be supported through home-based learning. Parents will have to take their own leave should they need to care for their children on leave of absence but the Government encouraged employers to provide flexible work arrangements.

MOH announced 32 new coronavirus patients, including 24 imported cases. All of the imported cases were returning residents and long-term pass holders, with the bulk having travelled to Europe - currently the epicentre of the virus. Most patients who visited Europe were in Britain - 13 patients - while the others had visited countries like Switzerland and France.

The total number of infected patients here now stands at 345. Of these, 159 are imported cases and the remaining 186 cases are locally transmitted cases.

Seven more patients have been discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of patients who have fully recovered to 124.

March 20: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced that stricter safe distancing measures will be introduced to reduce the risk of further local transmission.

All events and gatherings with 250 or more participants are to be suspended until June 30, while the suspension of all social activities for seniors by government agencies will be extended for another two weeks until April 7.

Events with fewer than 250 people and operators of venues accessible to the public, such as restaurants and cinemas, are also required to implement measures to ensure separation of at least 1m between patrons.

The measures will apply across the board for all events, including religious and private gatherings.

Retailers and food and beverage outlets will also be required to keep patrons at least 1m apart. For instance, operators are encouraged to demarcate queues to ensure patrons keep their distance while dining outlets should ensure alternate seats are marked out.

Entertainment venues and attractions are similarly required to impose appropriate measures like installing floor markers at queuing areas and adopting chequerboard or alternate seating.

For employers, the authorities strongly advised them to allow employees to work from home, or implement staggered working hours where telecommuting is not possible.

Non-critical work events should be deferred and critical ones scaled down to no more than 250 participants at any one time.

The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) and MOH announced a contact-tracing smartphone app, called TraceTogether, has been launched to allow the local authorities to quickly track people who have been exposed to confirmed coronavirus cases.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Malaysians with Singapore work permits can continue to work in Singapore with health screening and accommodation arrangements made for them, while food and products will continue to be transported across the border smoothly. This comes after Malaysia put in a place a two-week nationwide movement control order that kicked in on March 18.

MOM urged companies to impose a leave of absence on employees who returned from overseas between March 14 and 20, before a mandatory stay-home requirement for all those entering Singapore kicks in.

Employers who place their staff on this voluntary leave of absence will be able to claim daily support under a programme by the MOM aimed at alleviating the companies' financial burden during the Covid-19 outbreak.

MOH announced 40 new Covid-19 cases, including 30 that are imported. Almost all of the imported cases were returning residents and long-term pass holders, and had a travel history to Europe, North America, South-east Asia and other parts of Asia, with the largest number coming from Britain. This brings the total number of cases here to 385.

Seven more cases have been discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of patients who have fully recovered to 131.

March 21: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced that two people died on March 21 morning from complications due to Covid-19.

The first patient in Singapore to die was Case 90, a 75-year-old Singaporean woman linked to the cluster at The Life Church and Missions Singapore. She had no recent travel history to China. She had a history of chronic heart disease and hypertension.

The second patient to die was Case 212, a 64-year-old Indonesian national who was admitted in critical condition to intensive care here after arriving in Singapore from Indonesia. Prior to his arrival, the patient had been hospitalised in Indonesia for pneumonia and had a history of heart disease.

MOH advised all doctors in public and private hospitals, as well as private specialist clinics, to immediately stop or defer accepting new foreign patients who do not reside in Singapore. They have also been instructed to encourage their current foreign patients to seek continued care in their home countries, according to an internal circular issued on March 19.

MOM said it revoked a total of 89 work passes as of March 21 for breaching entry approval and stay-home notice requirements. Out of this number, 73 were work-pass holders with travel history to countries affected by Covid-19 and who entered Singapore without obtaining entry approval from MOM.

MOM also advised all foreign domestic workers to spend their rest day at home during this period of the coronavirus outbreak. If they still go out on their rest day, they should practise social distancing, the ministry added.

MOH announced 47 new coronavirus cases. This was the same figure as the number of cases reported on March 18, the greatest number since the start of the outbreak. This brings the total number of infected patients here to 432.

The new cases include 39 imported ones with travel history to Australia, Europe, North America, Asean countries and other parts of Asia.

To date, 140 cases have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from hospital. Of the 290 confirmed cases still in hospital, 14 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

March 22: All short-term visitors will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore from 11.59pm on March 23 in view of the heightened risks of importing coronavirus cases into the country, said MOH.

Work pass holders and their dependants will be allowed to return to Singapore only if they work in sectors that provide essential services such as healthcare and transport.

This will also kick in at 11.59pm on March 23.

MOH announced 23 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number in Singapore to 455. Of these cases, 18 were imported cases that had travelled to Europe, North America, South America and Asean. Almost all of these new imported cases are returning residents and long-term pass holders, with only one short-term visitor.

A total of 144 cases have fully recovered from the infection and been discharged from hospital.

March 23: ICA said all travellers arriving in Singapore - including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders - must submit an online health declaration before proceeding with immigration clearance, from March 27, 9am. All travellers will have to do so via the SG Arrival Card electronic service.

ICA explained that this new entry requirement is an additional precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of importing Covid-19 into Singapore. It will be subject to further review according to the global Covid-19 situation.

MOH confirmed 54 new cases, bringing the total of those infected here to 509. Of the new cases, 48 were imported while the other six had no known links at the time. Eight more were discharged, making a total of 152 who had fully recovered.

March 24: The Government announced a slew of strict measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. These included the closure of all bars, cinemas and entertainment outlets from 11.59 pm on March 26 till April 30, and suspending all centre-based tuition and enrichment classes, and religious services.

The authorities also warned that any Singapore resident or long-term pass holder leaving Singapore from March 27 would be charged unsubsidised rates should they be hospitalised in public hospitals for Covid-19 treatment, and would be unable to claim from MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans for these treatments at public and private hospitals.

Additionally, as part of the measures, malls, museums and restaurants would also be required to reduce crowd density to stay open. Gatherings outside of work and school would have to be limited to 10 people, and F&B outlets would need to limit the sizes of groups of diners to 10.

The suspension of all social activities for seniors by government agencies will also be extended again until April 30.

MOH announced 49 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total of those infected to 558. Of these, 17 were locally transmitted. Three more cases were discharged.

March 25: All 360 PCF centres across the island, which have more than 40,000 children, would close till March 30, following the news that 14 employees at PCF Sparkletots Fengshan tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, in response to a number of nightlife operators planning to host "farewell" events on that night before being forced to shut, the Singapore Tourism Board and the police said officers would be carrying out enforcement actions to ensure safe distancing measures were complied with.

Separately, a PR who failed to declare his recent travel history to Indonesia had the validity of his re-entry permit shortened by ICA.

In Parliament, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Singaporeans to prepare for a continued rise in coronavirus cases, as some of the 200,000 overseas Singaporeans return home in the following weeks. Law Minister K. Shanmugam warned that the authorities would investigate and charge those who flout their stay-home notices.

MOH also confirmed 73 new coronavirus cases in Singapore, the largest single-day spike to date. The ministry also said that 65 patients who were clinically well but still tested positive for Covid-19 were transferred to isolation facilities. Another five patients were discharged, bringing the number of people who have recovered to 160.

March 26: DPM Heng Swee Keat announced that PM Lee Hsien Loong, Cabinet ministers, and other political office holders, including President Halimah Yacob, would take an additional two-month pay cut on top of the one-month pay cut announced the month before, in the light of the coronavirus situation.

Mr Heng also unveiled in his Supplementary Budget that the Government would set aside a further $48.4 billion to support businesses, workers and families here. In all, the Republic had dedicated nearly $55 billion to fight the virus at this point. Madam Halimah gave her in-principle support to draw up to $17 billion from Singapore's past reserves to fund this.

Among other measures, it was announced that all adult Singaporeans would receive a cash payout of between $300 and $900, that about 10,000 new jobs would be created over the next year under the SGUnited Jobs Initiative, and that the one-off SkillsFuture Credit top-up of $500 could be used earlier for selected courses, to allow Singaporeans to use their downtime to develop new skills.

Mr Heng also said that Singapore Airlines (SIA) is expected to receive support from Temasek Holdings amid the outbreak.

MOH announced 52 more cases, bringing the total of those infected to 683, while another 12 were discharged. A total of 87 cases who were clinically well but still tested positive for the virus had been transferred to isolation facilities at this point.

March 27: MOH announced that 11 more coronavirus patients were discharged from hospital, bringing the number of those who had recovered to 183. The ministry also confirmed 49 new cases, including two cases who were part of a new cluster at SingPost Centre. Another case which had been announced earlier, Case 581, was also found to be linked to this cluster.

SingPost said it had suspended all packet processing operations at SingPost Centre on March 26 and 27 for thorough cleaning and disinfection, as well as to facilitate contact tracing. It added that letter mail delivery had not been affected, but the delivery of packages might be slightly delayed as a result.

March 28: The Government announced that from 11.59pm on March 29, all long-term visit pass (LTVP) holders, including those who had been granted in-principle approval for an LTVP, and student pass holders would have to obtain approval from the Government before entering Singapore.

MOH also announced 70 new coronavirus cases, bringing the number of infected here to 802. Fifteen more patients were discharged, which means the total number of people here who recovered from the infection now stands at 198.

March 29: ICA announced that it had cancelled the passport of a 53-year-old Singaporean man for breaching his stay-home notice and travelling to Indonesia.

The same day, a 70-year-old Singaporean man, Mr Chung Ah Lay, who was Case 109, died from the virus. He had a history of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

MOH also announced 42 new cases of infection, including three from a new cluster at The Wedding Brocade in Yishun. The ministry also said that 14 more patients were discharged.

March 30: MOH announced 35 new cases of infection, bringing the total number of those infected here to 879. These included seven cases from a new cluster at Wilby Residences, five from a new cluster at Hero's bar, and four cases from a new S11 Dormitory cluster announced by MOH. The ministry said 16 more patients were discharged.

March 31: It was announced that Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) would be suspended at most locations from April 6, with most of the remaining spots seeing rates slashed.

The Ministry of Defence also said that the SAF would defer non-essential in-camp training for at least a month to deal with the outbreak.

Later in the day, the multi-ministry task force said that employers must allow their staff to work from home as far as possible, or risk facing penalties.

MOH confirmed 47 new coronavirus cases, including Case 891, a 22 year-old Indian man who worked as a housekeeper at CGH.

April 1: The number of cases here hit 1,000 as 74 new cases were confirmed, including a 102-year-old patient. Known as Case 983, she was part of a new cluster of 11 at Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home.

Following this cluster's announcement, MOH and the Agency for Integrated Care said that all nursing homes in Singapore would be closed to visitors till April 30.

April 2: MOH announced that 21 coronavirus patients were discharged, the highest number of any day, bringing the total number of those recovered to 266.

The ministry also confirmed 49 new cases, including five cases in a new cluster at Mustafa Centre and two cases at a new cluster in a Maxwell MRT construction site. Three earlier confirmed cases were also linked to a new cluster at Keppel Shipyard.

April 3: The authorities announced a series of tough "circuit breaker" measures aimed at keeping people at home. These included the closure of most workplaces from April 7, all schools shifting to home base learning from April 8 to May 4, the cancellation of mid-year exams, and "takeaways only" policies at hawker centres, coffeeshops, restaurants and other F&B outlets.

The Government also announced that reusable masks would be distributed to all Singapore residents here.

Associate Professor Kenneth Mak, MOH's Director of Medical Services, also assured the public that Singapore has been ramping up its healthcare capacity in anticipation of an increase in cases, and that the healthcare system could cope with the current number of infections.

MOH also announced 65 new cases of infection, bringing the total of those infected here to 1,114. Three new clusters were also announced - at nightclub Ce La Vi, the Singapore Cricket Club, and a construction site in the Raffles Place area.

The Republic also had its fifth death from the virus: Case 918, an 86-year-old patient from the Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home cluster.

April 4: LTA announced that it would cease ERP charges at all gantries across Singapore from April 6 to May 4 following the introduction of enhanced Covid-19 safe distancing measures. DPM Heng Swee Keat said that the Jobs Support Scheme would be further enhanced and foreign worker levies would be waived for April, as part of measures to provide businesses with more support.

MOH announced that from 11.59pm on April 5, Singaporeans returning from Asean countries, France, India and Switzerland would also serve their 14-day stay-home notice in hotels instead of in their own homes. Previously, the requirement was only for those returning from the US and Britain.

MOH announced 75 new coronavirus cases, along with four new clusters. Three of them were linked to dormitories - Sungei Tengah Lodge, Toh Guan Dormitory and Cochrane Lodge II. The other cluster was located at The Orange Ballroom, a wedding venue at Tanjong Katong Complex in Geylang Road.

An 88-year-old man, Case 855, became the sixth Covid-19 related death in Singapore. He had a history of heart and kidney disease, cancer and diabetes.

April 5: COE bidding for April was suspended following the closure of motor vehicle dealerships and showrooms amid the coronavirus outbreak. Two dormitories were gazetted as isolation areas, with about 20,000 workers quarantined.

Separately, a 37-year-old woman and her 38-year-old husband were arrested under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly leaking a draft media statement to the public on the Covid-19 school closures before it was officially released.

MOH announced a record 120 new confirmed coronavirus cases here, bringing Singapore's total to 1,309 cases. Three new clusters were announced: Tampines dormitory, Cochrane Lodge I, and a Battery Road construction site.

April 6: DPM Heng Swee Keat announced another slew of support measures, costing $5.1billion, to tide Singapore through the Covid-19 outbreak.

These included $600 in cash for every Singaporean aged 21 and above, the Government paying 75 per cent of the first $4,600 monthly wages in April for local workers, income relief of three payments of $3,000 for those who also earn a small income from employment, as well as those who live in properties with an annual value of up to $21,000.

The latest injection meant Singapore allocated some $60 billion to fight Covid-19 to date - of which $6.4 billion was set aside in the Feb 18 Unity Budget, and a further $48.4 billion in the March 26 Resilience Budget.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that operations at Changi Airport Terminal 2 would be suspended for 18 months from May 1 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The SAF also said it would suspend basic military training from April 7 to May 4. About 3,400 full-time NS recruits would instead be provided with "home-based instructional material" on basic skills and fitness development.

MOH announced 66 new cases, while 24 more patients were discharged. Two new clusters, at Little Gems Preschool and Kranji Lodge dormitory, were announced.

April 7: Eight establishments were warned for not complying with safe distancing measures, while two Singaporean men became the first people to be charged with breaching their stay-home notice.

Over 7,000 written advisories were also issued to members of public who breached the stricter safe distancing measures that kicked in on the first day of Singapore's "circuit breaker" month.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill was passed in Parliament, granting the Health Minister the power to prohibit events and gatherings, or impose conditions on how they are conducted. This meant that social gatherings of any size, in homes or public spaces, would no longer be allowed.

Later on April 7 night, MOH announced that 33 patients had been discharged and 106 more confirmed, bringing the total of those infected here to 1,481.

April 8: MOH announced that, from 11.59pm on April 9, all travellers returning to Singapore from overseas would have to serve their 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facilities instead of in their homes.

The ministry announced 142 new cases of infection, bringing the total number of those infected here to 1,623.

April 9: LTA announced that all trains and their stations, buses, bus stops and interchanges would be progressively marked with safe-distancing stickers to combat the outbreak here.

PM Lee Hsien Loong warned that any group seen gathering in public from this day would immediately be issued with a written warning, adding that there were still too many public gatherings amid the circuit breaker measures.

Later in the day, the multi-ministry task force announced that sports stadiums would be closed as people were ignoring safe distancing measures.

MOH announced 287 new cases in the highest daily spike yet, with over 200 linked to foreign worker dormitories. Many of these cases were traced to Mustafa Centre, but most of the workers had very mild symptoms.

The total number of infected rose to 1,910, while 54 more cases were discharged bringing the number of recovered to 460.

April 10: Tampines Dormitory became the fifth dormitory to be gazetted as an isolation area to prevent the spread or possible outbreak of coronavirus infections, joining Sungei Tengah Lodge, S11 Dormitory @ Punggol, Westlite Toh Guan and Toh Guan dormitory.

PM Lee Hsien Loong made a special appeal to older Singaporeans to observe Covid-19 restrictions and stay at home, and also urged all Singaporeans to play their part.

Later that night, 198 new cases of infection were reported by MOH, bringing the total to 2,108.

In addition, it was announced that an 86-year-old woman died from complications due to the infection the night before, the seventh such death in Singapore. The woman, a Singaporean, was a resident at the Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home - which is linked to a cluster of 16 cases. She was the second from the home to die from the coronavirus.

Three new clusters were also formed, comprising one at the ICA Building in Kallang, one in a dormitory at 31 Sungei Kadut Avenue, and one at a renovation site at the National University Hospital.

April 11: A slew of new measures were announced. NEA said that from April 12, anyone not wearing a mask at the 39 markets managed by the agency or its appointed operators would be turned away.

The Singapore Food Agency also announced that all workers who are engaged in the sale and preparation of food and drinks would be required to wear masks or other forms of physical barriers from April 13.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that all commuters would need to wear masks on public transport to curb the spread of the coronavirus soon, even after the circuit breaker period.

MOM announced that foreign domestic workers would need to stay home on their rest days as part of measures against Covid-19. They would still be allowed to go out to buy meals and run essential errands, but would have to return home immediately after that and not loiter or gather in public spaces.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said that from April 12, anyone flouting the circuit breaker measures would be fined $300 right away as there were still too many who were not taking the measures seriously. This meant no more warnings would be issued.

And in a joint statement, Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board said that from April 12, all customers visiting supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and shopping malls would have to wear masks, or be denied entry.

Later that night, 191 new cases were announced by MOH, bringing the total of cases to 2,299.

A 90-year-old Singaporean man also died from complications due to the infection, the eighth such death here. Three newly identified clusters, all at foreign worker dormitories - Westlite Woodlands dormitory, North Coast Lodge and Cassia @ Penjuru - were reported as well.

Cochrane Lodge I - which is an existing virus cluster - and Acacia Lodge were also placed under isolation, bringing the total number of dormitories gazetted as isolation areas to seven.

April 12: MOH clarified that taxi drivers and food delivery riders can eat at public spaces or in their vehicles if it is not practical for them to head home for meals. Some had resorted to eating off the boot of their vehicle or squatting on the kerb by the road for fear of breaking Covid-19 circuit breaker rules.

That night, 233 new cases of infection were reported by MOH, bringing the total number of cases to 2,532.

Seven new clusters were reported - at Acacia Lodge, Tuas View Dormitory, 36 Woodlands Industrial Park E1, Kallang Dormitory, the Black Tap burger joint at Marina Bay Sands, a construction site at 9 Penang Road, and the McDonald's outlets at Forum Galleria, Lido and Parklane.

April 13: Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said that the Singapore authorities intend to "come down quite hard" on those who abuse the Covid-19 Temporary Relief Fund, and that the authorities are looking into a couple of cases of such behaviour.

A new high of 386 cases was confirmed that night by MOH, bringing Singapore's total number of infected to 2,918.

A 65-year-old Singaporean man also became the ninth here to die of complications due to Covid-19 infection.

April 14: The police clarified that they do not actively check homes for people breaking circuit breaker rules, but will take action if they come across such cases in the course of dealing with other complaints.

LTA said that buses and trains would run at reduced frequencies from April 15 and April 17 respectively due to a drop in ridership during the circuit breaker period.

Later in the evening, the multi-ministry task force announced that, with immediate effect, it would be mandatory for everyone to wear a mask when leaving home. Exceptions would be made for those engaging in strenuous exercise and children below the age of two, as medical experts recommended against them wearing masks.

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that the Government was seeking to reduce the number of services considered essential as well.

It was later announced that Case 128, a 70-year-old Singaporean man, had died from the virus, becoming the 10th person here to succumb from the infection. He was part of the Safra Jurong cluster.

MOH said that 25 more patients have recovered and were discharged, bringing the total number of those recovered to 611.

But 334 new cases were confirmed, 132 of whom were from the S11 dormitory, which had a total of 718 cases as a result. A new cluster was also formed at PPT Lodge 1A, a foreign worker dormitory at 8 Seletar North Link.

April 15: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) said in a joint statement that employers had begun getting the first payouts under the Jobs Support Scheme. Under this scheme, a total of $7 billion, meant for more than 140,000 employers, had been set aside to help to cover the wages of over 1.9 million local employees here.

That night, 447 new cases of Covid-19 infection were confirmed, a new daily high, 409 of which were work permit holders. New clusters were formed at 10 Kian Teck Crescent dormitory, Kian Teck Dormitory, 234 Balestier Road and Mandai Lodge.

April 16: A Singaporean who breached a Covid-19 stay-home notice to eat bak kut teh was the first person to be convicted of exposing others to the risk of infection by breaching such a notice.

Case 42, a 39-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker, was transferred to a general ward after being in intensive care since February. His wife in Bangladesh had given birth to their son last month.

Later, Singapore confirmed 728 new Covid-19 cases, with the total number of people infected crossing the 4,000 mark. Foreign workers living in dormitories continued to drive this increase, with three in five of all cases stemming from this group.

Five new clusters linked to dormitories were announced: Westlite Mandai, The Leo dormitory in Kaki Bukit, SJ Dormitory in Woodlands; 17 Sungei Kadut Street 4; and Grandwork Building in Sungei Kadut.

April 17: Shaw Lodge Dormitory, North Coast Lodge and Tuas View Dormitory were placed under isolation, joining another nine such dormitories.

Separately, a 32-year-old man who allegedly left his home after being served a stay-home notice was charged, becoming the third person in Singapore to be hauled to court for breaching the stay-home notice amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) announced that it would be making adjustments in some GCE coursework submission and examination dates for A-level H3 subjects so as to ensure that students would be fairly assessed after the implementation of full home-based learning.

Later, 623 new cases of infection were confirmed, bringing the total to 5,050. MOH also said that it had made a police report about Thursday's figures, which were leaked nearly 10 hours before it announced them.

MOH also announced that an 11th person, a 95-year-old Singaporean man, had died from complications due to Covid-19 infection.

April 18: MOM announced that all work permit and S Pass holders in the construction sector would be placed on mandatory stay-home notices as a precaution from April 20 to May 4.

That same day, Case 4,754, a 40-year-old Malaysian work permit holder who was confirmed to have the coronavirus on Friday, died of a heart attack.

Later, 942 new cases were confirmed by MOH, bringing the total number of infected here to 5,992.

April 19: McDonald's announced that it would suspend all restaurant operations in Singapore, including delivery and drive-thru services, till May 4, after being advised to do so by MOH.

MOH later announced 596 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total to 6,588.

April 20: It was announced that two Singaporeans and a US commercial pilot would be charged with breaching their stay-home notices.

Later, 1,426 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the largest daily spike of new cases yet, bringing the total number of infected to 8,014.

April 21: PM Lee Hsien Loong addressed the nation for the fourth time during the outbreak, and said that the circuit breaker measures would be extended to June 1. He added that, while the circuit breaker measures had been working, Singapore cannot be complacent. He said the number of unlinked cases had not come down, which suggested a "hidden reservoir" of cases in the community. He also called on all Singaporeans to stay home as far as possible, and urged those who had to go out to do so alone and not as a group or with family.

Immediately after his address, the multi-ministry task force announced a series of tightened circuit breaker measures. These included the tightening of businesses defined as "essential services", leading to the closure of hairdressing and barber shops, as well as standalone F&B outlets that sell only beverages, packaged snacks, confectioneries or desserts.

In addition, from April 22, shoppers heading out to buy groceries at four popular wet markets would only be able to do so on alternate days depending on the last digit of their identity card.

That night, MOE said that the June school holidays would start earlier from May 5 and cover the entire extended circuit breaker until June 1.

MOH announced 1,111 new coronavirus cases the same night, 1,050 of whom were foreign workers living in dormitories.

April 22: NTU launched a Covid-19 relief package to help students facing financial problems amid the outbreak. In one of the measures, eligible students may get an interest-free advance of up to $1,500 each.

Singapore's total number of infected climbed past 10,000 with 1,016 new coronavirus cases confirmed. Eight new clusters were announced, which were linked to 10 Kranji Link; 32 Tuas View Square; 36 Tuas View Square; 40 Tuas View Square; 61 Senoko Drive; 8 Sungei Kadut Avenue; 18 Sungei Kadut Avenue; and Wing Fong Court at 10 Lorong 14 Geylang.

An 84-year-old Singaporean woman became the 12th person to die from complications due to the coronavirus.

April 23: A Singaporean who breached a stay-home notice to eat bak kut teh amid the Covid-19 outbreak was sentenced to six weeks' jail, becoming the first person to be convicted of exposing others to the risk of infection by breaching a stay-home notice.

A 35-year-old Singaporean woman was also arrested under the Official Secrets Act for leaking the number of new Covid-19 cases on April 16. She was also found to have leaked other confidential information.

MOH announced 1,037 new coronavirus cases, 982 of whom were foreign workers living in dormitories. Six new clusters were found, linked to Blue Stars Dormitory at 3 Kian Teck Lane, Hulett Dormitory at 20 Senoko Drive, Seatown Dormitory at 69H Tuas South Avenue 1, Woodlands Dormitory at 27 Woodlands Sector, 12 Loyang Drive, and 59 Sungei Kadut Loop. Four more foreign worker dormitories were placed under isolation, bringing the total of such dormitories to 25.

It was also announced that a 46-year-old construction worker from India, who was a coronavirus patient, was found motionless at a staircase landing at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on April 23 morning, but he later died from his injuries. Police classified it as a case of unnatural death and were investigating the matter.

April 24: Nine new virus clusters were announced, including the Natureland East Coast spa at 907 East Coast Road, and The Strand Hotel at 25 Bencoolen Street.

The remaining seven new clusters were linked to Alaunia Lodge in Admiralty; SSKBJV Dormitory in Tanah Merah; Westlite Juniper dormitory in Mandai Estate; 112 Neythal Road; 10 Shaw Road dormitory; 2 Sungei Kadut Avenue; and 11 Tuas Avenue 10.

MOH also provided more information on the 46-year-old construction worker from India who was found motionless at a staircase landing at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on Thursday morning. The ministry said that the worker had died because of multiple injuries consistent with those resulting from a fall from height.

The ministry also announced 897 new cases, while another 38 people were discharged, bringing the total of those recovered to 956.

April 25: The rules for displaying the national flag were amended so that people could fly it from April 25 until Sept 30. The move came amid public requests to display the flag as a rallying symbol amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreign workers living in dormitories made up 597 of the 618 new coronavirus cases, while seven new clusters were confirmed. They had links to Northpoint City; dormitories Aspri-Westlite Papan, Kian Teck Hostel and SCM Tuas Lodge; construction sites at 8 Martin Place and 107 West Coast Vale; and 21 Defu South Street 1. The total number of cases in Singapore rose to 12,693.

April 26: Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee wrote on Facebook that a Bill would be introduced at the next Parliament sitting on May 4 to enable civil and Muslim marriages to be solemnised remotely.

This would mean that the couple would not have to be present at the Registry of Marriages or the Registry of Muslim Marriages, nor need to be in the physical presence of a marriage solemniser and witnesses. This was in response to the circuit breaker period, which meant that marriage solemnisations had to be postponed.

MOH announced 931 new cases of the virus, two of which were imported cases of returning Singaporeans who had been placed on stay-home notice.

Four new clusters were announced at Proptech Pte Ltd at 38 Senoko Road, 5 Kian Teck Crescent, 3 Sungei Kadut Street 6, and 133 Tuas View Square.

April 27: A 40-year-old Singaporean was charged after posting fake information on Facebook. He had allegedly claimed that supermarkets would only be open two days a week as part of coronavirus circuit breaker measures.

Two more patients died from Covid-19 complications, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 14. The two patients were an 82-year-old Singaporean man who tested positive on April 8, and an 81-year-old Singaporean man who tested positive on April 20.

MOH announced 799 new coronavirus cases, 764 of whom were foreign workers living in dormitories. The ministry also announced seven new coronavirus clusters, linked to Acacia Home in Admiralty, Hai Leck Engineering in Tuas; Lingjack Dormitory in Woodlands; 9 Gul Street 1; 3 Senoko Link; 44 Toh Guan Road East; and 2 Woodlands Industrial Park E1.

April 28: Allied health services like therapy, psychology and social work were reclassified as essential during the extended coronavirus circuit breaker. It was also announced that Singapore was aiming to double the number of bed spaces at community care facilities for Covid-19 patients to 20,000 by the end of June.

MOH announced 528 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of infected to 14,951. Four new coronavirus clusters were announced, linked to 33 Sungei Kadut Loop, 23H Sungei Kadut Street 1, 10 Tagore Drive, and 51H Tuas South Avenue 1.

April 29: A Singaporean was fined $1,500 for leaving his home about 30 minutes before his coronavirus quarantine ended. He did it to have breakfast at a mall.

Five new clusters were announced, linked to 11 Defu Lane 1, 106 International Road, 33 Senoko Way, 17 Shaw Road, and 182 Woodlands Industrial Park E5. MOH also announced 690 new cases, 660 of whom were workers in dormitories.

April 30: A Singaporean man was charged after he allegedly breached his stay-home notice on two occasions during the coronavirus outbreak.

Changi Airport Terminal 2 went ahead with its plans to suspend operations for 18 months, with its last flight departing at 6.10am for Tokyo.

Later, in his May Day speech, PM Lee Hsien Loong said that restarting Singapore's economy after the Covid-19 pandemic would not be straightforward and some sectors would need to wait longer to reopen.

First in line to open up would be sectors that are critical to keeping Singapore's economy going domestically, as well as those that keep the country connected to the world and global supply chains, he said, while noting that tourism and aviation would likely take much longer to recover than the rest.

He added that the Government would ensure that SIA and the aviation sector get through the current crisis.

That night, it was announced that a 58-year-old woman had died from complications due to Covid-19 infection, bringing the total number of such deaths here to 15. The woman, who is Case 703, had travelled to Europe and was confirmed to have the virus on March 26 after returning to Singapore.

MOH also announced 528 new Covid-19 cases, along with 12 new virus clusters linked to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Buangkok, 9 Benoi Crescent; 24 Benoi Place; 2 Fan Yoong Road; 10 Gul Drive; 23 Kaki Bukit Road 6; 17 Soon Lee Road; JTC Space @ Tuas; 1 Tuas Avenue 10; 2 Tuas Avenue 10; 81 Tuas South Street 5; and 54/56 Tuas View Square.

May 1: It was announced that the stay-home notice for all work permit holders, S Pass holders and their dependents in the construction sector would be extended until May 18.

MOM said that new facilities would be built to house migrant workers who are mildly ill or no longer infectious, many of which would be located in dormitories that have been most severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

MOH later announced that a 60-year-old male Singaporean had died from complications due to Covid-19 infection, bringing the total deaths here to 16. The man was confirmed to have the coronavirus on April 13 and had a history of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

The ministry also announced 932 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total count to 17,101, along with seven new clusters linked to Joo Koon Lodge, Tuas South Incineration Plant, 19 Kian Teck Road, 12 Tuas Place, 15 Tuas View Square, 20 Sungei Kadut Avenue and 148 Woodlands Industrial Park E5.

MOH said 24 patients were discharged. This included Singapore's oldest coronavirus patient, a 102-year-old woman named Yap Lay Hong. She was among 16 residents and staff at the Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home who caught the virus.

May 2: It was announced by the multi-ministry task force that Singapore's tightened circuit breaker measures would remain in place for another week, with businesses like barbers, home-based bakers and laundry services allowed to resume operating on May 12. The task force also said that from May 19, schools might start bringing students in small groups for face-to-face lessons.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said that action would be taken against a man who made insulting posts about Indians and Covid-19 on Twitter under the handle "sharonliew86".

MOH and MSF announced that testing for the coronavirus would be prioritised for residents and staff in all homes serving the elderly, and that staff who interact with elderly residents would also be housed on site or in hotels to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

MOH also later announced that a 76-year-old Singaporean man had died from complications due to Covid-19. He had a history of cancer and was confirmed to have Covid-19 on April 6. A 47-year-old male Bangladeshi national also died on May 1. MOH said he was confirmed to have Covid-19 after he died, and investigations were ongoing to establish the cause of his death.

The ministry announced 447 new cases of the virus, along with five new clusters at 5 Neythal Road, 34 Sungei Kadut Loop, 16 Tuas Avenue 3, 21 Tuas View Square and 2 Tuas South Street 2.

May 3: Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said that working from home would continue to be the norm for the majority even after the circuit breaker ends on June 1.

MOH announced 657 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 18,205. An 86-year-old woman died from complications due to the disease, bringing the death toll here to 18. She was confirmed to have the infection on April 27, and had a history of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

Six new clusters were also identified, at NCS Hub in 5 Ang Mo Kio Street 62, 16 Fan Yoong Road, 15 Gul Way, 23 Sungei Kadut Street 2, 9A Tech Park Crescent, and 64 Woodlands Industrial Park E9.

May 4: A law was passed in Parliament allowing special, temporary arrangements to be implemented should the next General Election take place amid the coronavirus pandemic, so that voters, candidates and election officials can go to the polls safely.

A 61-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a National Parks Board (NParks) officer who was putting up SafeEntry signs along the Sungei Serangoon park connector.

MOH announced 573 new coronavirus cases, 560 of whom were foreign workers living in dormitories. MOH also announced three new clusters linked to Hai Leck Engineering in Tuas, Melody Springs construction site in Yishun, and 6 Tuas Basin Link.

May 5: Singaporean Paramjeet Kaur, who had allegedly failed to wear a mask at Shunfu Mart and claimed to be a "sovereign", was charged in court.

Nine new clusters of the virus were announced, at 60 Benoi Road in Jurong, 100A Central Boulevard in the Central Business District, a construction site at Clementi N2C3, 1 North Coast Drive in Woodlands, 31 Sungei Kadut Loop, 9 Tech Park Crescent in Tuas, 80 Tuas Avenue 1, 15 Tuas View Close and 131 Tuas View Square.

MOH announced 632 new cases, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in Singapore to 19,410.

May 6: Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that Singaporeans would receive improved reusable masks soon, with the Government embarking on a third mask distribution exercise towards the end of the circuit breaker period. The new cloth masks would have higher protective qualities and also be more comfortable to wear for a long period of time.

MTI said that all businesses in categories that had the green light to reopen on May 12 would be able to do so without needing to seek approval.

Two more people died from complications due to Covid-19, bringing the total number of deaths here to 20. The first was a 97-year-old Singaporean woman who died on May 5. She was confirmed to have the virus on April 7, and had a history of hypertension. The other patient was a 73-year-old Singaporean man who died on May 6. He was also confirmed to have Covid-19 on April 7, and had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes mellitus.

Seven new clusters were announced at at 20 Benoi Lane in Tuas, 5 Fourth Chin Bee Road in Joo Koon, 36 & 38 Kian Teck Drive in Joo Koon, Tampines Street 62, 14 Tech Park Crescent in Tuas, 50A Tuas Link 4 and 35 Tuas View Walk 2.

MOH also announced 788 new cases, bringing the total number of infected here past 20,000.

May 7: Six new clusters were identified at 4 Sungei Kadut Avenue, 5 Tech Park Crescent, a factory site at Sixth Lok Yang Road, 98 Kaki Bukit Industrial Terrace, 3 Tuas Drive 1 and 52 Tuas View Square.

MOH announced 741 new cases, bringing the total number of infected to 20,939.

May 8: A Singaporean who allegedly left his home to attend a social gathering in Circuit Road amid the coronavirus outbreak was charged.

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong warned that life would not go back to normal immediately after June 1, and more precautions would have to be taken.

MOH announced 768 new cases of the coronavirus. Three clusters - Dover Court International School, ICA Building and Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home - were closed, while five new ones, at 25 Kaki Bukit Industrial Terrace, 63 Senoko Drive in Sembawang, 53 Sungei Kadut Loop, 11 Tech Park Crescent in Tuas, and 57 Tuas View Walk 2, were confirmed.

May 9: The police arrested a Singaporean woman for refusing to wear her mask properly and assaulting a police officer who had approached her at Sun Plaza mall.

MOH announced 753 new cases, 739 of which were foreign workers living in dormitories. Nine new clusters were formed, at 3 Buroh Lane; 9 Defu South Street 1; 44 Kaki Bukit Industrial Terrace; 45 Kaki Bukit Place; 20 Kranji Road; 2 Pioneer Sector Walk; 69 Tuas South Avenue 1; 3 Tuas View Circuit; and 212 Woodlands Industrial Park E5.

May 10: MOH said that 33 Covid-19 cases from a laboratory were false positives, due to an apparatus calibration issue for one of its test kits. It added that no false negative results were discovered and immediate action had been taken to rectify the situation. The lab also stopped all tests and was working to solve the calibration issue. 876 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 23,336.

May 11: A 64-year-old man was accused of leaving home on multiple occasions while serving his stay-home notice. He had allegedly gone out for "non-permitted purposes".

A 68-year-old Singaporean man, who had a history of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, died from complications due to Covid-19, bringing Singapore's death toll to 21.

A 53-year-old Indian national also died after suffering a cardiac arrest on May 9 before later testing positive. MOH classified his death as being caused by ruptured myocardial infarction due to coronary thrombosis, making him the seventh person here to die from other causes despite testing positive.

MOH reported 486 new cases of infection, partly due to fewer tests being processed after an equipment fault produced false positives over the weekend. Three new clusters were announced, including one at Tuas South Apartments, one at 47 Senoko Drive and one at 566 Woodlands Road.

May 12: It was announced that Changi Airport would suspend operations at Terminal 4 from May 16 amid a sharp decline in flights. Separately, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that Singapore's circuit breaker measures had "shown promise" in bringing down the number of coronavirus cases in the local community, and the country was on track to further ease these restrictions on June 1.

MOH announced 884 new cases, while 626 patients were discharged in a new daily high. The total of those recovered and discharged stood at 3,851.

Two deaths were classified as non-Covid-19 related: First, a 50-year-old Thai man who died from cerebral haemorrhage on Tuesday after suffering respiratory arrest on May 10, and was confirmed to have the coronavirus on Monday. Second, a 31-year-old Indian man who died on Sunday after he collapsed after complaining of chest pain while at his dormitory. He tested positive for Covid-19 after his death on May 11, which was caused by coronary thrombosis, MOH said.

This brought the number of people who died from other causes while testing positive for the coronavirus to nine.

May 13: Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah said that more than $16 billion in Covid-19 government assistance had been given out so far in Singapore.

US pilot Brian Dugan Yeargan was sentenced to four weeks' jail for breaching a stay order to buy personal items at Chinatown Point shopping centre.

MOH announced 675 new cases, along with six new clusters at 3 Kian Teck Crescent, 119 Neythal Road, 1 Sungei Kadut Street 4, 1020 Tai Seng Avenue, 17C Tuas Road, and 29 Tuas View Walk 2. Another 958 patients were discharged in a new daily high.

MOH clarified that nine of the cases at 45 Kaki Bukit Place had been found to be among the false-positive cases announced on May 10. The false readings were due to an apparatus calibration issue. As these cases were reclassified, the cluster had since been closed.

May 14: It was announced that all Singapore pre-school staff would undergo a one-time swab test for Covid-19 before pre-school centres reopen. This would include non-programme staff such as cleaners and cooks, as well as relief and new staff.

Another daily high of 1,164 cases were discharged, even as 752 new Covid-19 cases were identified. One new cluster was announced at 2 Perumal Road.

May 15: Muis called on Muslims in Singapore to stick to circuit breaker measures and to not go on Hari Raya visits across households. The annual haj pilgrimage was also deferred to 2021.

Another 793 new Covid-19 cases were announced by MOH, bringing the total number of infected to 26,891. Meanwhile, 1,275 patients were discharged from hospitals and community facilities,bringing the total number of recovered to 7,239.

MOH said it had closed the clusters linked to McDonald's and the renovation sites at the National University Hospital , but announced five new clusters at 80 Kaki Bukit Industrial Terrace, 48 Toh Guan Road East, 55 Tuas South Avenue 1, 119 Tuas View Walk 1, and 33 Tuas View Walk 2.

May 16: Eighteen patients were discharged from the D'Resort community isolation facility despite still testing positive for Covid-19 after they were deemed to be non-infectious to others.

It was announced that a 67-year-old Singaporean man had died on May 15 from complications due to Covid-19 infection, bringing the total number of such deaths here to 22.

MOH said that the man was confirmed to have Covid-19 infection on April 7, and had a history of ischaemic heart disease, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

A total of 465 new Covid-19 cases were reported, bringing the total case count to 27,356, while another 1,094 cases were discharged.

MOH also announced three new clusters at 9 Sungei Kadut Way, 7 Tech Park Crescent, and 137 Tuas View Square.

May 17: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that some restaurants at Robertson Quay were barred from selling alcohol for takeaway, after people were found socialising and flouting safe distancing measures at the riverside dining enclave.

MOH confirmed 682 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total count to 28,038. One new cluster was announced at 9 Sungei Kadut Avenue.

May 18: Three men were charged after they allegedly kayaked to Pulau Ubin and set up camp there during the Covid-19 circuit breaker.

TransitLink, which handles public transport transactions, announced that concession cardholders will be automatically refunded the unused value of their monthly concession passes till the end of the circuit breaker period.

MOH announced 305 new cases, including a 58-year-old woman who went to work at Bishan MRT station after the onset of symptoms. MOH said that the relatively low number of cases was partly due to fewer tests being processed because one testing laboratory was reviewing its processes following an earlier apparatus calibration issue.

Four new clusters, at 2 Kampong Ampat in Tai Seng, 43 Tuas View Close, 117 Tuas View Walk 1 and 7 Woodlands Industrial Park E1, were announced. The cluster in ABC Hostel at 3 Jalan Kubor was closed.

May 19: It was announced that DPM Heng Swee Keat would deliver a ministerial statement on the Government's plans to help businesses and individuals amid the Covid-19 pandemic on May 26.

The multi-ministry task force said that Singapore's circuit breaker would end on June 1, and the economy would be opened gradually in 3 phases. One of the implications of the gradual lifting of safe distancing measures is that people would be allowed to visit their parents or grandparents from June 2, but only in groups of two or less, who have to be from the same household as each other.

The task force also said that schools would reopen on June 2, but only the graduating cohorts of students in Primary 6 and Secondary 4 and 5 would have to attend daily classes.

MOH announced 451 new cases, while 530 were discharged.

May 20: It was announced that the National Day Parade 2020 would focus on getting Singaporeans to celebrate in their homes, instead of at a central location like the floating platform at Marina Bay. Traditional elements like the state flag fly-past, F-15SG fighter jet aerial display, the Red Lions free-fall jump, and mobile column would take place in different locations around the island, while many parade segments would be moved to the heartland and streamed live over TV as well as Internet platforms.

Another 570 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases in Singapore to 29,364. Two new clusters were announced, one at 29 Senoko South Road and the other at 144 Tagore Lane.

A cluster at a construction site located at Project Glory at 50 Market Street was closed as no more new cases were linked to it for the past 28 days.

May 21: It was announced that Singapore residents can collect improved reusable masks from May 26 till June 14, in a third mask distribution exercise involving about six million reusable masks.

Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said that attending school would be compulsory after the end of the circuit breaker, and that MOE would do its utmost to keep schools safe, such as through health screenings for any one entering the school, good hygiene practices and safe distancing.

Another 448 new cases were announced, bringing the total number of people in Singapore diagnosed with the coronavirus to 29,812. A 73-year-old Singapore man died due to Covid-19 complications. He was confirmed to have the virus on April 17 and had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and hypothyroidism.

It was also announced that Case 42, 39-year-old Raju Sarker, who had stayed nearly two months in the intensive care unit, was well enough to be moved into a community hospital.

May 22: The National Library Board (NLB) and the National Museum of Singapore invited the public to contribute records of their everyday experiences during the pandemic.

May 23: The Early Childhood Development Agency announced that about 15,300 pre-school staff have tested negative from proactive testing.

May 26: Singapore's fourth Budget this year, the $33 billion Fortitude Budget, was announced by DPM Heng. It included $2.9 billion to extend job protection, including enhancements to the Job Support Scheme that co-pays salaries to help firms retain workers.

It also provided for the $3.8 billion that went towards measures announced on April 21 to tide Singaporeans over the four-week extension to the circuit breaker.

A one-off $100 Solidarity Utilities Credit will also be given to each household with at least one Singapore citizen.

So far, close to $100 billion - or nearly 20 per cent of Singapore's GDP - has been set aside by the Government to support Singaporeans during the pandemic.

May 28: MOH revised its discharge criteria for Covid-19 patients, following local and international clinical and scientific evidence which show that patients are unlikely to be infectious after Day 14 of their illness, and are not infectious by Day 21.

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong announced that phase two of Singapore's reopening could start before the end of June. This would include shopping malls resuming business and dining in at F&B outlets, subject to a cap of five people per table.

He added that Singapore is in talks to establish "travel bubbles" with countries where Covid-19 is under control to allow essential travel.

May 29: HDB announced that home buyers who could not apply for a build-to-order flat in May due to the circuit breaker will be able to do so during the August exercise.

MOM said that working from home should be the default option for all companies during the first two phases of Singapore's reopening after the circuit breaker period.

MFA also announced that Singapore and China will launch a "fast lane" arrangement early the next month to facilitate essential travel for business and official purposes between the two countries.

May 30: URA announced that six men and one woman, aged between 30 and 52, will be charged in court on June 2 for flouting circuit breaker regulations. They are linked to the incident where groups of people were seen gathering at various places in the Robertson Quay area on May 16.

May 31: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that there will be no ERP gantry charges till at least June 28, and that it will begin reviewing charges from June 2, as Singapore begins its phased reopening, and the changes will take effect only from June 29.

Covid-19 testing was completed for all nursing home residents and staff, and aside from the five cases previously announced, no new cases were found.

June 1: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that the task force combating the Covid-19 outbreak has decided that face shields are not as effective as masks in reducing the risk of virus transmission. People will therefore have to wear face masks instead of face shields when they leave home, following a review of an earlier policy in which either option had been allowed.

A 51-year-old Chinese national who had lymphoma died from Covid-19 complications, the 24th coronavirus-related death in Singapore.

June 3: The Government said that travellers who get approval for essential travel between China and Singapore under a "fast lane" will not have to serve quarantine, but must do Covid-19 swab tests before departure and on arrival.

MOM announced that three workplaces were forced to stop operations for failing to implement adequate safe management measures. These include instructing employees to return to the office instead of allowing them to work from home.

June 4: Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said that employers who retrench their staff, but disguise it as something else to avoid giving out retrenchment benefits run the risk of incurring penalties.

June 5: Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative Vivian Balakrishnan said that a wearable device for contact tracing may be issued to everyone in Singapore to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

June 6: A 41-year-old Chinese national died from Covid-19 complications more than two weeks after being discharged. The man, Case 11,714, recovered from the infection and was discharged on May 17. But he collapsed on Thursday and the coroner certified the cause of death as massive pulmonary thromboembolism following the infection.

June 7: PM Lee addressed the nation, saying that Covid-19 will remain a problem for a long time yet, and everyone has to adjust the way they live, work and play. However, he called on people not to fear or lose heart.

June 8: Dr Balakrishnan clarified that the wearable device for contact tracing, which may be issued to everyone in Singapore, will not track an individual's location. He said that the data in the personal device is encrypted, automatically erased after 25 days and never leaves the device unless the person is infected.

The Elections Department announced a series of measures to keep voters safe as they head to the polls during the pandemic. Voters will be allotted recommended time bands to visit polling stations and reduce crowding in the upcoming election. They will also be given disposable gloves and be allowed to bring their own pens to cast their ballots.

June 9: Mr Wong said that should a vaccine for Covid-19 become available, the Government will make sure every Singaporean who needs it will get it, at an affordable price.

MOH clarified that the number of Covid-19 tests carried out may fluctuate from day to day, depending on which group of people is scheduled to be tested. On several occasions previously, MOH had announced that fewer tests had been conducted, leading to a lower number of reported cases.

June 10: About 5,500 migrant workers from the first batch of dormitories declared clear of the coronavirus were allowed to resume work in Singapore.

June 11: Changi Airport finished setting up holding areas for the resumption of transit passenger services, which were suspended amid the Covid-19 crisis. Singapore Airlines also said it has received approval to start operating transit flights.

MOH said that a 44-year-old Indian male national who died on June 8 was subsequently found to have Covid-19.

June 12: The Singapore F1 Grand Prix 2020 was cancelled due to the restrictions on construction and business activities caused by Covid-19.

June 13: It was announced that taxi drivers here will have to print receipts for all street-hail and phone booking passengers or face a $50 fine, in an attempt to facilitate Covid-19 contact tracing efforts.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) announced that from June 15, all types of renovation work, including new and previously suspended renovation works for non-residential premises, will be allowed to submit applications to start work.

MOH announced that a 73-year-old Singaporean man from the Safra Jurong cluster died from Covid-19 complications. The patient, identified as Case 161, was confirmed with Covid-19 on March 9, and had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and chronic kidney disease.

June 14: A Singaporean public servant was arrested for allegedly leaking classified information - on phase two activities - to members of the public.

Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that Singapore's major infrastructure projects will be completed, though the timelines for them may shift. He added that these projects are seen by the Government as critical investment for future generations.

Singapore reported its first imported coronavirus case since May 11: A Bangladeshi man who arrived in Singapore on June 10 to seek medical treatment not related to Covid-19.

June 15: The Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council announced that a second round of self-disinfecting coating will be applied to 26,000 Housing Board lifts, starting from the end of the month.

Later that day, the multi-ministry task force said that Singapore will move to phase two of its reopening on June 19. This means that dining-in, personal health and wellness, as well as home-based services such as private tuition, enrichment or piano lessons can resume, except for singing or voice training classes.

At restaurants and hawker centres, each table will be limited to five people. Retail shops, park facilities, sports and other public facilities, including stadiums, swimming pools, golf courses, playgrounds, bowling centres and fitness studios, will also be able to reopen. This applies to similar facilities in private settings such as condominiums and clubs.

But live music and television and video screenings will not be allowed in all food and beverage outlets, and they have to cease liquor sales and consumption at 10.30pm. Karaoke outlets, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres as well as libraries, museums and other large cultural and entertainment venues will not be allowed to resume yet.

June 16: MOM announced that a total of 52 composition fines of $1,000 each have been issued to employers, and seven workplaces were ordered to cease operations, for lapses in safe management measures.

Two more men were also charged after they allegedly met at Robertson Quay to chat and drink during the Covid-19 circuit breaker.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that Changi Airport Terminal 5's construction will be paused for at least 2 years amid uncertainty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

June 17: MOM said that when Singapore enters phase two, maids can spend their rest days outside, but should do so on a weekday when public spaces are less crowded.

Scientists here discovered five antibodies which could potentially neutralise the coronavirus.

MOH and the Ministry of Finance announced that Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors will receive a total of $255 million in Medisave top-ups in July.

MOE said that CCAs will be allowed to resume as students from all levels return to school daily from June 29. But for PE lessons, activities must involve no more than 5 persons per group.

MOH later said that Singaporeans and permanent residents who left Singapore before an advisory against travelling out of the country was issued on March 27 and who are returning in the near future will not have to pay for their Covid-19 tests - if they return by Aug 31.

June 18: The Elections Department announced that there will be no physical rallies if the upcoming general election is held during phase two of Singapore's reopening, with all political parties given extra television airtime instead. Although walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning will be permitted, groups must not exceed five people and should abide by safe distancing measures.

The Public Service Divison said that all of Singapore's 85,000 civil servants will not receive any mid-year annual variable component payment this year, amid the economic gloom caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Public officers in superscale grades will also take a one-time half-month or one-month pay cut in accordance with their seniority.

Later, MOH said that all individuals aged 45 and above who are diagnosed with acute respiratory infection when they first visit a doctor will be tested for Covid-19.

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said that congregational and other worship services, starting with up to 50 people at a time, excluding religious and supporting workers, may resume from June 26 to allow religious organisations to prepare safe management measures.

June 20: URA said that a restaurant in Holland Village was ordered to close by the authorities after crowds gathered at the eatery on Friday evening.

DPM Heng Swee Keat made a rallying call for Singapore to band together, promising that the Government will work with Singaporeans to overcome the current crisis and emerge stronger.

June 21: NTUC Enterprise said it is rolling out a $50 million support package to help Singaporeans manage the cost of living during the coronavirus pandemic. The prices of 100 FairPrice housebrand items will also be frozen until the end of the year.

June 23: A 48-year-old man who recovered from Covid-19 died after fainting at a temporary housing site for migrant workers. He was the 11th person in Singapore who tested positive for the coronavirus but died from other causes.

June 24: NLB said that libraries will reopen on July 1 with shorter opening hours and capacity controls.

June 25: Temasek Foundation said that from June 29 to July 12, residents of Singapore can each get two free reusable antimicrobial masks.

Seven people were fined for gathering in Robertson Quay and breaching circuit breaker measures in May. Four of them were given fines of $9,000 each, with the remaining three fined $8,000 each.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that from July 1, all patients aged 13 and above who show up at clinics with signs of acute respiratory infection will be tested for Covid-19.

MOM announced that 140 people have had their work passes revoked for breaching Covid-19 measures, including six who gathered near Robertson Quay during the circuit breaker period.

June 26: Bangladeshi worker Raju Sarker, also known as Singapore's Covid-19 case 42, was discharged from TTSH after spending almost five months there.

June 27: ActiveSG said all its indoor sport halls will be closed for a day as a "time-out" and to ensure that all its users "understand the rules and spirit of the safe management measures", following news of a positive Covid-19 case who had played badminton at the ActiveSG Jurong East Indoor Sport Hall on June 22 and had flouted SportSG's safe management measures while doing so.

MFA said that a green lane and periodic commuting arrangement will be established between Singapore and Malaysia to meet the needs of different groups of cross-border travellers.

June 28: The Singapore Tourism Board announced that attractions including the Singapore Zoo, ArtScience Museum and Universal Studios will be allowed to reopen from July 1. All had been closed for nearly three months.

June 30: A Singapore PR returning from India became the first imported Covid-19 case since June 14. She developed symptoms while serving her stay-home notice.

July 1: The Elections Department announced that Singaporeans serving their stay-home notices at hotels can cast their vote on July 10 without leaving their rooms. Mobile polling teams will go door-to-door to deliver the ballot paper to all voters on stay-home notices at these designated facilities.

A special voting hour between 7pm and 8pm will also be allocated for Singaporeans serving stay-home notices at home and unwell voters.

July 2: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that testing has been offered to 58 households in the same section of Block 111 Tampines Street 11 following nine confirmed cases there.

July 3: The Singapore Tourism Board said that hotels may soon begin offering staycations with safe distancing measures in place, while Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced that cinemas can reopen from July 13 with added safety precautions.

July 7: The multi-ministry task force noted that there are now more cases linked to workplaces in phase two of Singapore's post-circuit breaker reopening. Minister Lawrence Wong urged people who can work from home to continue to do so and for employers to allow this "to further reduce transmission".

July 8: NCID said it is helming a study, involving more than 500 recovered patients here, to determine the long-term effects of Covid-19 in people.

July 10: The Elections Department revised its earlier guidelines on needing to wear disposable gloves at polling stations due to longer waiting times on Polling Day. Long queues formed at various stations across the island, in part due to the safe distancing measures.

July 13: ICA said that a Malaysian man, a woman from China and 10 Indian nationals were deported and barred from re-entering Singapore for not complying with safe distancing measures during the Covid-19 circuit breaker.

July 14: Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced that both their countries have agreed to start cross-border travel for long-term pass holders and essential business and official travellers, aiming to have the necessary systems and processes in place on Aug 10.

TTSH said a female student at Jurong West Secondary School was wrongly diagnosed to be Covid-19 positive due to the mislabelling of specimens from two patients.

MOH said it takes a serious view of the error, and will take action against TTSH's lab, which handled the samples, if it is found to be in breach of protocols.

July 16: HDB said that some BTO flats may be delayed up to nine months as a result of the pandemic.

July 17: It was announced that travellers entering Singapore from July 20, who have recently been to Australia's Victoria state, Japan and Hong Kong, will have to serve their stay-home notices at dedicated facilities instead of at home.

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said that Singaporeans are unlikely to be able to travel for leisure this year, though essential business travel will be possible.

July 19: The Ministry of Finance said over $4 billion under the Jobs Support Scheme will be paid out to 140,000 employers from July 29 to help them retain their workers.

July 20: SBS Transit said it has installed transparent protective shields around the driver seat on six of its buses, to protect them from Covid-19.