Monday, June 29, 2009
Nightclub operators put in place H1N1 precautionary measures
Nightclub operators put in place H1N1 precautionary measures
By Lynda Hong & Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 0006 hrs
SINGAPORE : Several nightspot operators have put in place H1N1 precautionary measures.
Nightclub operator Lifebrandz has put up posters updating patrons on the current H1N1 situation at all 10 of its outlets.
Patrons are also given temperature checks and offered hand sanitisers before entering.
Patrons with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius will not be allowed to enter.
As of Saturday, Lifebrandz has not turned away any patrons.
Several other nightclub operators Channel NewsAsia spoke to said they are carrying out similar measures.
Operators added that they are confident that business will not be affected.
Lifebrandz's CEO, Bernard Lim, said: "We know that this is going to be a long-drawn process - fighting the H1N1 virus.
"So long as everyone is socially responsible and they take care of their own health, maintaining certain level of hygiene, we are quite sure that our patrons will come out and have a good time regardless."
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong & Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 0006 hrs
SINGAPORE : Several nightspot operators have put in place H1N1 precautionary measures.
Nightclub operator Lifebrandz has put up posters updating patrons on the current H1N1 situation at all 10 of its outlets.
Patrons are also given temperature checks and offered hand sanitisers before entering.
Patrons with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius will not be allowed to enter.
As of Saturday, Lifebrandz has not turned away any patrons.
Several other nightclub operators Channel NewsAsia spoke to said they are carrying out similar measures.
Operators added that they are confident that business will not be affected.
Lifebrandz's CEO, Bernard Lim, said: "We know that this is going to be a long-drawn process - fighting the H1N1 virus.
"So long as everyone is socially responsible and they take care of their own health, maintaining certain level of hygiene, we are quite sure that our patrons will come out and have a good time regardless."
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
Schools carry out measures to prevent spread of H1N1 flu
Schools carry out measures to prevent spread of H1N1 flu
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 1400 hrs
SINGAPORE: Students in Singapore returned to local schools on Monday to find full measures in place to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu.
After a month-long break, teachers and students who had travelled to H1N1-affected countries, or those who were unwell, had been told to stay home.
Over at Outram Secondary School, a screening station at the school gates greeted students as they returned for class.
"I have flu. (Question: If you have the flu, why not stay at home?) A bit only...will recover after that," said a student.
Those who displayed flu-like symptoms were isolated from their classmates and sent home.
Students were also required to hand in their travel declaration forms to their teachers.
All classes were also taught lessons on how to be socially responsible and adopt good hygiene habits based on guidelines set out in the Education Ministry's H1N1 education package.
Posters on social responsibility went up around the school and videos on hygiene habits were shown on television screens throughout the school as well.
Similar H1N1 precautionary measures were carried out at Mee Toh Primary School.
Recess was also staggered over four school periods, instead of the previous two, to reduce the risk of infection.
At Nan Hua Primary School at Jalan Lempeng, students were segregated into three batches for staggered recess breaks.
Principal Lee Hui Feng said: "That means each group has about 200 pupils and we try to ensure that when the children gather, there's a gap in between the classes and we shorten the time that they are assembled together. I think the most important thing is the teacher will monitor their health status closely and we also remind students about their personal hygiene."
Some students took the new measures in their stride and were just glad to be back. "I feel very happy coming back to school because I can see my friends," said one chirpy student.
Measures are also in place to ensure staff do not cross-infect one other.
Choy Wai Yin, principal of Outram Secondary School, said: "We're dividing the staff into different teams and there will be different staff rooms for this period of time so that there is minimal mass staff contact with one another and we will always have a functioning team."
The Education Ministry says one to two per cent of all students in Singapore are serving out a Leave Of Absence (LOA) as a precaution.
Outram Secondary School says out of its 950 students, some 30 of them and one teacher are on LOA.
While over at Mee Toh Primary School, there are 29 students and one teacher on LOA.
Some parents Channel NewsAsia spoke to were skeptical about whether measures such as filling up travel declaration forms would work.
One parent, who dropped off his child at Mee Toh Primary School, said: "Whether they will declare it properly, whether they have been to the affected countries, we're not sure. But I think that it's quite right that we have some sort of precautionary measures."
Speaking at an event on Monday morning, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen addressed concerns about whether more schools may be closed, if the situation gets worse.
He said: "I wouldn't paint a doomsday scenario and say 'what if'. For schools, what it does mean is that when we want to prevent big clusters from forming, we have to close down certain classes, certain schools. And we take it a day at a time, a week at a time and we adjust to the situation."
Dr Ng added that although there is no way to stop this pandemic, the current measures aim to slow down the spread of the virus. And he hopes this will help students lead as normal a school life as possible.
- CNA/yt/ir
- wong chee tat :)
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 1400 hrs
SINGAPORE: Students in Singapore returned to local schools on Monday to find full measures in place to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu.
After a month-long break, teachers and students who had travelled to H1N1-affected countries, or those who were unwell, had been told to stay home.
Over at Outram Secondary School, a screening station at the school gates greeted students as they returned for class.
"I have flu. (Question: If you have the flu, why not stay at home?) A bit only...will recover after that," said a student.
Those who displayed flu-like symptoms were isolated from their classmates and sent home.
Students were also required to hand in their travel declaration forms to their teachers.
All classes were also taught lessons on how to be socially responsible and adopt good hygiene habits based on guidelines set out in the Education Ministry's H1N1 education package.
Posters on social responsibility went up around the school and videos on hygiene habits were shown on television screens throughout the school as well.
Similar H1N1 precautionary measures were carried out at Mee Toh Primary School.
Recess was also staggered over four school periods, instead of the previous two, to reduce the risk of infection.
At Nan Hua Primary School at Jalan Lempeng, students were segregated into three batches for staggered recess breaks.
Principal Lee Hui Feng said: "That means each group has about 200 pupils and we try to ensure that when the children gather, there's a gap in between the classes and we shorten the time that they are assembled together. I think the most important thing is the teacher will monitor their health status closely and we also remind students about their personal hygiene."
Some students took the new measures in their stride and were just glad to be back. "I feel very happy coming back to school because I can see my friends," said one chirpy student.
Measures are also in place to ensure staff do not cross-infect one other.
Choy Wai Yin, principal of Outram Secondary School, said: "We're dividing the staff into different teams and there will be different staff rooms for this period of time so that there is minimal mass staff contact with one another and we will always have a functioning team."
The Education Ministry says one to two per cent of all students in Singapore are serving out a Leave Of Absence (LOA) as a precaution.
Outram Secondary School says out of its 950 students, some 30 of them and one teacher are on LOA.
While over at Mee Toh Primary School, there are 29 students and one teacher on LOA.
Some parents Channel NewsAsia spoke to were skeptical about whether measures such as filling up travel declaration forms would work.
One parent, who dropped off his child at Mee Toh Primary School, said: "Whether they will declare it properly, whether they have been to the affected countries, we're not sure. But I think that it's quite right that we have some sort of precautionary measures."
Speaking at an event on Monday morning, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen addressed concerns about whether more schools may be closed, if the situation gets worse.
He said: "I wouldn't paint a doomsday scenario and say 'what if'. For schools, what it does mean is that when we want to prevent big clusters from forming, we have to close down certain classes, certain schools. And we take it a day at a time, a week at a time and we adjust to the situation."
Dr Ng added that although there is no way to stop this pandemic, the current measures aim to slow down the spread of the virus. And he hopes this will help students lead as normal a school life as possible.
- CNA/yt/ir
- wong chee tat :)
500 students at RI Boarding School on leave of absence
500 students at RI Boarding School on leave of absence
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 1944 hrs
SINGAPORE: All 500-odd students and 20 teachers at Raffles Institution Boarding School are on Leave of Absence.
This is because a majority of the boarders are foreigners who have been to H1N1-affected countries during the recent school holidays.
Raffles Institution Boarding School has two H1N1 cases, who did not enter the school premises.
They showed symptoms upon arrival in Singapore.
The entire RI campus, with a student population of 4,500, is now segregated into three sections - Junior College, Secondary and Boarding School.
RI said tests and classes were carried out in these segregated groups on Monday to minimise interaction.
All students were also asked to leave immediately after school ended.
Junior college students who are boarders on Leave Of Absence sat for their Common Tests at the boarding school.
RI said it is doing everything it can to ensure the well-being of students by maintaining social distancing and grouping wherever possible.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 1944 hrs
SINGAPORE: All 500-odd students and 20 teachers at Raffles Institution Boarding School are on Leave of Absence.
This is because a majority of the boarders are foreigners who have been to H1N1-affected countries during the recent school holidays.
Raffles Institution Boarding School has two H1N1 cases, who did not enter the school premises.
They showed symptoms upon arrival in Singapore.
The entire RI campus, with a student population of 4,500, is now segregated into three sections - Junior College, Secondary and Boarding School.
RI said tests and classes were carried out in these segregated groups on Monday to minimise interaction.
All students were also asked to leave immediately after school ended.
Junior college students who are boarders on Leave Of Absence sat for their Common Tests at the boarding school.
RI said it is doing everything it can to ensure the well-being of students by maintaining social distancing and grouping wherever possible.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
30 new H1N1 cases raise total in Singapore to 629
30 new H1N1 cases raise total in Singapore to 629
Posted: 29 June 2009 2151 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Singapore has confirmed 30 new cases of H1N1 flu, bringing the total to 629 so far.
According to the Health Ministry, 246 patients have fully recovered while the rest are in stable condition.
Together with 105 cases pending investigation on Sunday, 71 have been investigated - comprising 58 local cases and 13 imported ones.
A new cluster has surfaced, comprising three Raffles Institution Boarding School students who have just returned from affected countries.
The greatest number of new cases registered on Monday, however, came from the Republic Polytechnic. It has 17 new cases, bringing the total in the cluster to 66.
There were eight new cases at Clementi Camp, which now has 53 cases.
Maju Camp has three new ones, bringing the total there to 22.
At the Police Coast Guard's Brani Base, one new case brings the total there to five.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
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