Singapore morning news for May 19, 2020

Pharma shipments lift Singapore exports for third straight month
SINGAPORE’S exports unexpectedly jumped 9.7 per cent year on year in April, thanks to a surge in pharmaceuticals, according to data from Enterprise Singapore (ESG) on Monday.
— The Business Times

MOH preliminarily confirms 305 additional cases of COVID-19; Total tally reaches 28,343
As of Monday noon (18 May), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has preliminarily confirmed an additional 305 cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore.
— The Online Citizen

529 dengue cases reported last week; NEA warns of higher dengue risk in homes during circuit breaker period
The number of dengue cases in Singapore is on the rise, with a total of 529 dengue cases reported in the week ending May 16, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a media release on Monday (May 18).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Coronavirus: Foreign construction workers living in flats can go out on Tuesday, with end of stay-home notice
About 85,000 foreign construction workers living in Housing Board flats and private residences can leave their homes on Tuesday (May 19), with the stay-home notice (SHN) for this group ending on Monday at 11.59pm.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Police investigating people who gathered in Robertson Quay despite circuit breaker: Masagos
He said enforcement action will be taken against business operators and individuals found to be in breach of safe distancing measures.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

‘IT system testing glitch’ caused erroneous SMS to be sent to 357 patients informing them they had COVID-19: MOH
An IT system testing glitch on Saturday (May 16) resulted in 357 patients receiving an erroneous SMS message informing them that they had tested positive for COVID-19, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

One in 2 SMEs see falling sales for next 12 months: poll
SINGAPORE businesses appear to be bracing themselves for a slow recovery post-Covid-19, with nearly one in two surveyed in April expecting sales for the next 12 months to fall year-on-year.
— The Business Times

Navy soldiers keep up inspection of foreign ships to secure Singapore waters despite COVID-19 risk
Amid the risk of COVID-19, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) soldiers are wearing additional personal protective equipment to board merchant ships that pass through Singapore waters.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore refineries starting to cut output amid pandemic pains
REFINERIES in Singapore have started to cut output and bring forward maintenance shutdowns amid plunging demand as the world remains mired in the Covid-19 pandemic and volatility grips the oil market.
— The Business Times

COVID-19: Changi Exhibition Centre care facility takes more measures to manage queues after video of crowds
Enhanced measures to improve queue management have been implemented at the Changi Exhibition Centre community care facility for COVID-19 patients, after a video of large crowds was circulated on social media.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Over 300,000 bottles of mosquito repellent to be given to patients suspected to have dengue
More than 300,000 bottles of mosquito repellent will be given out for free to suspected dengue patients by polyclinics and general practitioner (GP) clinics as the country prepares to enter the traditional dengue peak period.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Commuters to get refunds on unused value of monthly concession passes till end of circuit breaker period
Concession cardholders will be automatically refunded the unused value of their monthly concession passes till the end of the circuit breaker period.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

MOM introduces new rules making it easier for employers to transfer their domestic helpers to other households
Starting this Wednesday (20 May), employers will be benefit from an easier method to transfer their domestic helpers to other households, thanks to new rules launched by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
— The Online Citizen

Woman who went to work at Bishan MRT station among two new cases
A 58-year-old woman who went to work at Bishan MRT station was among two new Singaporean coronavirus cases announced yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Flights grounded, fewer repairs: Singapore’s aerospace industry feels knock-on effects of COVID-19
With flights cut and planes grounded, the impact of COVID-19 on commercial aviation has had a knock-on effect on the aerospace industry which supports it.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

OCBC set to rejig branch network strategy as pandemic drives digital banking
IN an early sign of how the Covid-19 pandemic could change the banking scene as we know it, Singapore’s second-largest bank said it expects to rejig its branch network strategy post-pandemic.
— The Business Times

Mapletree staff donate solidarity payments to support tenants and service providers on unpaid leave
More than 100 Mapletree staff have voluntarily contributed their cash payouts from the Government to help those employed at the company’s retail properties who are on unpaid leave.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore Book Fair: Talking about a post-Covid-19 world
The issue of inequality reared its head during a discussion at the Singapore Book Fair on Monday (May 18), as panellists discussed the challenges society could face in a world changed by the coronavirus pandemic.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Woodlands Health Campus investigates unauthorised filming of COVID-19 patients in mass exercise at Singapore Expo
Woodlands Health Campus (WHC) is investigating the unauthorised filming of COVID-19 patients participating in a mass exercise at the Singapore Expo community care facility, it said on Monday (May 18).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore researchers in global search for Covid-19 vaccines
Researchers in Singapore have joined hands with their overseas counterparts in the race to discover vaccines or treatments for Covid-19.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

COVID-19: Robertson Quay restaurants ordered to stop selling takeaway alcohol to prevent gatherings
Some restaurants in Roberston Quay have been told to stop selling takeaway alcohol in order to prevent gatherings from taking place in the area, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Monday (May 18).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

146 people suspected to be involved in scams costing victims over S$1.15 million
The police revealed on Monday (18 May) that 146 people have been suspected to be involved in scams which mostly are comprising of love scams, online purchase scams, and loan scams.
— The Online Citizen

Some in graduating cohorts returning to school this week
From this week, most primary and secondary schools will each see about 50 to 200 graduating students returning to their classrooms.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore F1 organisers say ‘not feasible’ to hold race behind closed doors
Singapore F1 organisers Monday (May 18) said it was not feasible to hold the race behind closed doors, threatening further problems for the coronavirus-ravaged season.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

MOH tells doctors to refer potential cases of inflammatory children’s illness to KKH, NUH
It added that such a condition in children remains very rare, and information is still emerging on its link to Covid-19.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Activist points the gaps in communication and medical care among migrant workers
Migrant workers’ mental health can be addressed by ensuring their access to information and medical care, allowing them to communicate their problems or feedback properly, and get assistance where needed.
— The Online Citizen

Early admissions exercise for ITE and polytechnics to open in May and June, selection process adjusted for COVID-19
Students seeking early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) for entry in 2021 will be able to do so from next Wednesday (May 27).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

S’porean who works at dorm tested positive for COVID-19; possible scenario of how second wave starts after circuit breaker?
On Sunday (17 May), the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced 682 new COVID-19 cases, five of which were community transmissions involving four Singapore/permanent residents and one work pass holder.
— The Online Citizen

Migrant workers at Blue Stars Dormitory express appreciation after three days of swab test
Last Saturday (16 May), migrant workers at Blue Stars Dormitory expressed their gratitude and appreciation upon the completion of the swab test on all those who are residing there.
— The Online Citizen

Sembcorp expects lower performance for energy business due to fall in demand and prices
Utilities and marine group Sembcorp Industries expects the performance of its energy business to be markedly lower than last year due to reduced demand and falling prices.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Covid-19 driving investment sales online for Singapore banks
Bank customers are increasingly going online to invest in the wake of social distancing measures that are keeping them out of branches.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Gojek partners Deliveroo to provide food delivery in Singapore
Gojek drivers will now be able to provide food delivery services to supplement their income, through a partnership with Deliveroo.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Reduction of national exam topics brings some relief to students
Graduating students are relieved that fewer topics will be tested in national examinations this year, saying they need time to catch up on areas that were taught during the full home-based learning period last month.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

S’pore ruling government is “on a very dangerous road”, says Prof Donald Low in response to being attacked by “ugly, exclusivist and populist nationalism”
Senior Lecturer and Professor of Practice at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Prof Donald Low remarked that the ruling government is “on a very dangerous road” in response towards the Singapore nationalism.
— The Online Citizen

The Big Read: As Singaporeans pine for a return to normalcy, COVID-19 has left behind a trail of despair for some
For some individuals here, COVID-19 has been much more than an inconvenience and a matter of adjustment to their daily routines. Many want to caution Singaporeans against being complacent in the long drawn-out fight against COVID-19.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Lawyer suspended for three months for allowing paralegal to act as lawyer
A lawyer with 21 years’ experience, was suspended for three months on Monday (May 18) for allowing an employee to masquerade as a lawyer with clients.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore’s Doctor Love launches online platform for migrant workers to consult doctors in their home countries
The COVID-19 Heartware platform aims to provide migrant workers from Bangladesh and Myanmar with not just medical treatment but also emotional care.
— CNA

Serial bra thief admits leaving house during circuit breaker to steal underwear
A serial bra thief found with more than 100 bras and 41 pairs of panties in his house had gone out even during the circuit breaker period in an attempt to steal underwear, a court heard on Monday (May 18).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Coronavirus: More maids running away during circuit breaker, say advocacy groups
She claimed she had to endure verbal abuse from her employer from the time she started working for the family in January.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Feature photo Nutrinest
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo focuses on World Bee Day, May 20.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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Singapore morning news for May 19 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on May 19, 2020
View all posts by Justhine De Guzman Uy →

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Justhine De Guzman Uy

Writer at AEC News Today

Justhine De Guzman Uy completed a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication at New Era University, Quezon City, the Philippines in 2016

After graduation she worked at the Philippine Broadcasting Service performing transcription and business news writing, before moving to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation where she worked as a news editor, translator and production assistant.