The Government will put on standby the Home Team NS (HTNS) Pasir Ris Chalets as possible quarantine housing from June 17 at 1pm.

This is a "precautionary measure" to prepare for an outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers), a Sars-like virus, said the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Development in a joint statement on Monday.

As of June 7, there have been 55 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide. There are currently no cases of the virus here, and the risk of an outbreak here "remains low", said the statement. But the Government is "stepping up its operational readiness in the event of an imported case" given the globalised travel patterns today, added the statement.

Should the chalets be activated as quarantine housing, 21 people can be quarantined in them. HTNS members who have made prior bookings at the chalets may continue with their holiday plans, until the chalets are activated as quarantine facilities, or opt to cancel their bookings. For more information, visit www.e101.gov.sg/mers-cov.