Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, the unwelcome guest that never quite leaves, may well be in the process of ushering in a fresh global wave, with <keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> potentially on the front lines. The Singapore government is on alert, with its Ministry of Health reporting a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. There was a doubling of infections in the first half of May, with the numbers increasing from 13,700 in the first week of this month to 25,900 in the second (May 5 to 11). Hospitalisations have also spiked, with average daily admissions rising from 181 to around 250 in the same period. To manage hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been directed to reduce non-urgent elective surgeries and transfer suitable patients to care facilities. Health Minister <keyword id="19895083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ong-Ye-Kung" source="keywords">Ong Ye Kung</keyword> has indicated that Singapore is in the early stages of this wave, which is expected to peak between mid- and end-June. Recognising Singapore's role as a major transport and communications hub, Ong has acknowledged that the city-state is likely to experience COVID-19 waves earlier than other regions. An uptick in infection numbers has also been observed in the neighbouring countries as well, including Philippines. However, no alarming rise in hospitalisation has been reported yet. Regional reports are attributing this surge to new COVID-19 variants, collectively termed FLiRT. This name is based on the technical names for their mutations, one of which includes the letters "F" and "L", and another, the letters "R" and "T". The FLiRT group comprises of variants KP.1, KP.2, KP.3, JN.1.1 and JN.1.7. At present, KP.1 and KP.2 make up over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. While the WHO has classified KP.2 as a variant under monitoring, there is no evidence suggesting these variants are more transmissible or cause more severe illness than existing strains. Nevertheless, Ong has urged high-risk groups, including those aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilities, to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose if they haven't been vaccinated in the past year. The public has also been advised to consider wearing masks again. Ong emphasised that there are no current plans for social restrictions, as Singapore treats COVID-19 as an <keyword id="21743830" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="endemic-disease" source="keywords">endemic disease</keyword>. He noted that additional measures would only be considered as a last resort. “COVID-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves,” he said. Meanwhile, 91 cases of the <keyword id="21640619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FLiRT-variants" source="keywords">FLiRT variants</keyword> have been detected in India. However, there have been no reports of severe cases or unique symptoms associated with these variants so far. (With inputs from TOI)

FLiRT-ing with pandemic! With a sharp rise in COVID cases, could Singapore be witnessing the start of a global wave?

<keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore" source="keywords">Singapore</keyword> is seeing a new <keyword id="21710881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-19-wave" source="keywords">COVID-19 wave</keyword> as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 even as <keyword id="19962428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Health-Minister" source="keywords">Health Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19895083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ong-Ye-Kung" source="keywords">Ong Ye Kung</keyword> on Saturday advised the wearing of masks again. "We are at the beginning part of the wave where it is steadily rising," said Ong. "So, I would say the wave should peak in the next two to four weeks, which means between mid- and end of June," The Straits Times newspaper quoted the minister as saying. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said the estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of May 5 to 11 rose to 25,900 cases, compared with 13,700 cases in the previous week. The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations rose to about 250 from 181 the week before. The average daily intensive care unit (ICU) cases remained low at three cases, compared with two cases in the previous week. The MOH said that to protect hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been asked to reduce their non-urgent elective surgery cases and move suitable patients to transitional care facilities or back home through Mobile Inpatient Care@Home, an alternative inpatient care delivery model that offers clinically suitable patients the option of being hospitalised in their own homes instead of a hospital ward. Ong urged those who are at greatest risk of severe disease, including individuals aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals and residents of aged care facilities, to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not done so in the last 12 months. Ong said that if the number of COVID-19 cases doubles one time, Singapore will have 500 patients in its healthcare system, which is what Singapore can handle. However, if the number of cases doubles a second time, there will be 1,000 patients, and "that will be a considerable burden on the hospital system", he pointed out. "One thousand beds is equivalent to one regional hospital," Ong said. "So, I think the healthcare system has to brace ourselves for what is to come." There are no plans for any form of social restrictions or any other mandatory kind of measures for now, as COVID-19 is treated as an endemic disease in Singapore, he said, adding that imposing additional measures would be a last resort. Ong said that with Singapore being a transport and communications hub, it will be one of the cities to get a wave of COVID-19 earlier than others. "So, COVID-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves," he said. Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2. Currently, KP.1 and KP.2 account for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. As of May 3, the World Health Organisation has classified KP.2 as a variant under monitoring. There are currently no indications, globally or locally, that KP.1 and KP.2 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants, the MOH said. However, members of the public are urged to stay updated with vaccinations to protect themselves against current and emerging virus strains. The MOH said that to date, about 80 per cent of the local population have completed their initial or additional dose, but have not received a dose within the last year. The ministry added that since COVID-19 vaccination started in 2020 to 2021, the vaccines have consistently been proven to be safe and effective in protecting individuals from severe illness. Billions of doses have been administered globally, and safety monitoring internationally has shown that the vaccine is safe, it said. There have also been no long-term safety concerns with COVID-19 vaccination, and adverse effects from vaccines, including the mRNA vaccines, have all been observed to occur shortly after vaccination, the ministry added. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-edge-50-fusion-vs-oneplus-nord-ce-4-price-specs-and-features-compared/slidelist/110197390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-edge-50-fusion-vs-oneplus-nord-ce-4-price-specs-and-features-compared/slidelist/110197390.cms" target="_blank">Motorola Edge 50 Fusion vs OnePlus Nord CE 4 – price, specs and features compared</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/iqoo-z9x-5g-with-120hz-display-6000mah-launched-starting-at-12999/slidelist/110176453.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/iqoo-z9x-5g-with-120hz-display-6000mah-launched-starting-at-12999/slidelist/110176453.cms" target="_blank">iQOO Z9x 5G with 120Hz display, 6000mAh launched starting at ₹12,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-loses-54-lakh-in-work-from-home-scam-heres-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/110166963.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-loses-54-lakh-in-work-from-home-scam-heres-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/110166963.cms" target="_blank">Woman loses ₹54 lakh in work-from-home scam! Here's what it is and how to protect yourself</a>

Singapore seeing new COVID-19 wave, minister advises wearing of masks

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11895291" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> will no longer pay for <keyword id="11893994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> treatment for people who choose not to get the vaccine.</li><li>The government said most of the people who "require intensive inpatient care" are unvaccinated.</li></ul>The Singaporean government will no longer foot the hospital bill for COVID-19 treatment for those who are "unvaccinated by choice," the country's Ministry of Health <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/calibrated-adjustments-in-stabilisation-phase_8Nov2021">announced</a> Monday.The nation's government has been covering medical bills for COVID-19 treatment for Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders, unless an individual tested positive after returning from overseas travel."This was to avoid financial considerations adding to public uncertainty and concern when COVID-19 was an emergent and unfamiliar disease," the ministry said in a statement Monday. "For the majority who are vaccinated, this special approach for COVID-19 bills will continue until the COVID-19 situation is more stable."At least 85% of the population of Singapore is currently vaccinated against COVID-19, and 18% have received booster shots, according to <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination">government data</a>.The Ministry of Health said unvaccinated people are making up "a sizable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our health care resources."Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our <keyword id="11897506" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="healthcare" source="Orion">healthcare</keyword> resources.he ministry said, adding that the patients who are "unvaccinated by choice" will be charged for treatment starting December 8, and they "may still tap on regular health care financing arrangements to pay for their bills where applicable.""Hospitals really much prefer not to have to bill these patients at all," Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said during a news conference, citing a report by <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/unvaccinated-by-choice-covid-patients-must-pay-own-medical-bills-122406658.html">Yahoo News</a>. "But we have to send this important signal to urge everyone to get vaccinated if you are eligible."The government will still cover treatment costs for those are ineligible for vaccination, including children under 12 years old and medically ineligible people."While we have extended a concession to those who are medically ineligible to be able to dine-in, enter malls and participate in activities where VDS is required, they remain unvaccinated and their risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and/or becoming severely ill remains real and very high," the ministry said in the statement."We strongly encourage these individuals to minimise such activities and to use this concession judiciously," the statement continued.

Singaporeans who are 'unvaccinated by choice' can no longer receive free COVID-19 treatment

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11895291" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> has fully vaccinated 80% of its 5.7-million population, its Health Minister said on Sunday. </li><li>This paves the way for the country to reopen its borders and lift restrictions as it shifts away from a zero-COVID strategy. </li><li>The city-state launched "vaccinated travel lanes" with Germany and Brunei earlier this month, where vaccinated travelers will not have to serve quarantine.</li></ul>Singapore has fully vaccinated 80% of its 5.7-million population, paving the way for the reopening of borders and loosened restrictions. "We have crossed another milestone, where 80% of our population has received their full regimen of two doses," Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung wrote in a <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4869862643028299&amp;id=916503765030893&amp;m_entstream_source=timelinetimeline">Facebook post</a> on Sunday.The country had only <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2021/06/singapore-covid-vaccination-tracker/index.html?shell">31% of the population</a> vaccinated on June 1, but was able to ramp up its vaccination program and reach the 80% milestone in just under three months. It was able to do so by <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/covid-19-vaccination-dose-interval-to-be-shortened-as-national-vaccination-programme-is-accelerated">shortening the interval between the first and second dose</a> from between six and eight weeks to just four weeks in late June. It also announced in July a <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/bringing-covid-19-vaccination-to-the-heartlands-for-seniors">mobile vaccination drive</a> to reach senior citizens in the suburbs.Singapore - one of the richest countries per capita in the world - also spent more than a billion Singapore dollars (about $742 million) making advance purchases on vaccines, including Pfizer and Moderna, the country's prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, revealed in December, reported the <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/over-s1b-to-secure-enough-vaccines-by-q3-2021-all-citizens-long-term-residents-to">Business Times</a>. The country was the first country in <keyword id="11902482" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="asia" source="Orion">Asia</keyword> to receive a shipment of Pfizer vaccine in December last year, reported <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/first-covid-19-vaccine-shipment-singapore-pfizer-biontech-494691">Channel News Asia</a>.Ong said the uptick in vaccination means the country "has taken another step forward in making ourselves more resilient to <keyword id="11893994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword>."For much of the pandemic, Singapore took a COVID-zero approach, which involved strict movement restrictions, aggressive contact tracing, and tight border controls to stamp out COVID-19 cases. On July 22, the country <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/going-back-to-phase-2-heightened-alert">reimposed dining and group-size restrictions</a> after local COVID-19 clusters were discovered. Restrictions were lifted on <a href="https://www.gov.sg/article/updates-to-p2ha-from-10-august-2021">August 10</a> - but in a bid to encourage vaccination, only vaccinated residents are currently permitted to dine in and gather in groups of up to five people. After months of restrictions, Ong said in July that taking a COVID-zero approach was unsustainable, and the country must start treating COVID-19 like the flu."We cannot carry on with the current healthcare protocols for COVID-19. They need to shift closer to how we treat influenza today, without extensive contact tracing and quarantine in dedicated facilities, and hospitalizing only those who are very ill," he said in a <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/ministerial-statement-by-mr-ong-ye-kung-minister-for-health-on-development-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-26-july-2021">ministerial statement</a>. Singapore is eager to lift restrictions and reopen borders after its<a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/singapore-economy-shrinks-58-in-2020-after-contraction-eases-to-38-in-q4-flash-data"> economy contracted 5.5% in 2020</a> due to the global pandemic. It is trialing a quarantine-free international travel program of "<a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/sc-pr/vtl">vaccinated travel lanes</a>" with Germany and Brunei beginning on September 8. The difficulty in containing the more infectious Delta variant has forced countries like Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand - who all attempted COVID-zero strategies - to rethink COVID-19 containment strategies. Currently, half of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/australias-victoria-reports-13-local-covid-19-cases-lockdown-call-looms-2021-07-19/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australias-victoria-reports-64-local-covid-19-cases-2021-08-27/">Australia's population of 25 million</a> is under lockdown, following continued outbreaks of Delta variant cases. The country registered a record high 1,323 local cases on Sunday, reported<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australias-victoria-reports-92-local-covid-19-cases-2021-08-28/"> Reuters.</a> New Zealand went into a lockdown on August 17, after just a single case of COVID-19 was reported. And after months of reporting virtually zero cases, it's seeing double-digit increase daily, registering 82 cases on Sunday, reported <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/28/new-zealand-covid-update-82-new-cases-as-outbreak-worsens-despite-nationwide-lockdown">The Guardian</a>. Singapore recorded 124 local COVID-19 cases on Sunday, according to its<a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/update-on-local-covid-19-situation-and-vaccination-progress-(29-aug-2021)"> health ministry</a>. It has so far recorded about<a href="https://covidsitrep.moh.gov.sg/"> 67,000 cases and 55 deaths</a> from the virus since the pandemic began.

Singapore went from a 31% vaccination rate to an 80% vaccination rate in just under 3 months

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6356662" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="singapore">Singapore</keyword> and <keyword id="24349" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Hong-Kong">Hong Kong</keyword>'s long-delayed <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/spore-hong-kong-air-travel-bubble-to-start-on-may-26-ong-ye-kung">travel bubble is set to launch on May 26</a>, both cities announced Monday.</li><li>Residents will be able to <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> between the two cities without a quarantine.</li><li>The bubble will start with one flight per day each way with a maximum of 200 passengers.</li></ul><a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/spore-hong-kong-air-travel-bubble-to-start-on-may-26-ong-ye-kung">Singapore and Hong Kong's long-delayed travel bubble</a> is set to launch on May 26, both cities announced on Monday.The bubble, which was delayed from November 2020, will allow visitors to travel between both cities <a href="https://www.caas.gov.sg/who-we-are/newsroom/Detail/singapore-and-hong-kong-agree-to-launch-air-travel-bubble-(atb)-flights/">without having to serve a quarantine</a> as long as they fly on designated flights and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure, in line with <a href="https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Hong-Kong/Announcements/INAUGURAL-SINGAPORE-HONG-KONG-AIR-TRAVEL-BUBBLE-FLIGHTS-ON-22-NOVEMBER-2020">the terms of the bubble first announced in November</a>. Visitors will be able to travel freely with no restrictions on itineraries or where they stay."I am happy that Hong Kong got the COVID-19 situation under control," Singapore's Transport Minister, Ong Ye Kung, said in a <a href="https://www.sgpc.gov.sg/sgpcmedia/media_releases/mot/press_release/P-20210426-1/attachment/MOT%20Media%20Release_Singapore%20and%20Hong%20Kong%20set%20Target%20Launch%20Date%20for%20ATB_26%20Apr_final.pdf">press release</a> announcing the launch of the bubble. "It has been a long few months, but the conditions are now ripe again to re-launch the ATB (air <keyword id="9177162" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="travel-bubble">travel bubble</keyword>). Both sides will need to stay very vigilant in the next one month, so that we can launch the first flights smoothly."In addition to a pre-departure PCR test, visitors to Hong Kong must be <a href="https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2020/11/20201111/20201111_114012_534.html">tested upon arrival at the airport</a>, Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce &amp; Economic Development, Edward Yau, said Monday. Travelers in both directions must have not traveled anywhere other than Singapore or Hong Kong in the 14 days before their departure.<div type="image" title="Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 XWB" height="1665" width="2221" msid="82253289" hostid="261"></div>The bubble is set to start with one flight each day in each direction, with a maximum 200 passengers on each flight, the transport minister said. After two weeks, the number of flights will be reviewed. A source told Bloomberg that <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-25/hong-kong-singapore-air-travel-bubble-said-to-start-on-may-26?sref=BLKWHazc">daily flights would be increased</a> by June 26 as long as neither place reports a new virus outbreak. The Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble was set to launch in November but was <a href="https://www.insider.com/singapore-hong-kong-air-travel-bubble-postponed-2020-11">postponed</a> after Hong Kong reported a new surge in coronavirus cases. Since then, its infection rates have fallen to an average of about <a href="https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/hong-kong/">seven new daily cases</a> on average over the past week. Singapore is reporting an average of <a href="https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/singapore/">25 new infections each day</a>, most of which were among people already in quarantine.The bubble set to start in May will be suspended if the <a href="https://www.caas.gov.sg/who-we-are/newsroom/Detail/singapore-and-hong-kong-agree-to-launch-air-travel-bubble-(atb)-flights/">seven-day average of unlinked community cases</a> exceeds five in either Singapore or Hong Kong, according to Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority.Both cities' borders have been largely closed to tourists for over a year, and most returning residents are required to undergo a hotel quarantine - typically for <a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health/shn">14 days in Singapore</a> and <a href="https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel-faq.html">21 days in Hong Kong.</a>Over the course of the pandemic, Singapore has reported a total of <a href="https://covid19.who.int/region/wpro/country/sg">60,966 cases</a> and 30 deaths among its <a href="https://www.singstat.gov.sg/modules/infographics/population">population of 5.7 million</a>. Hong Kong, which is home to <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=HK">7.5 million people</a>, has reported <a href="https://chp-dashboard.geodata.gov.hk/covid-19/en.html">11,737 cases</a> and 209 deaths.The announcement of the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble came a week after <a href="https://www.insider.com/australia-new-zealand-travel-bubble-launches-2021-4">Australia and New Zealand launched a similar bubble</a>. On Friday, less than a week after it opened, that <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3130906/coronavirus-new-zealand-pauses-travel-bubble-western">bubble was paused</a> after two Australian regions entered a three-day lockdown due to a new COVID-19 case detected in the community.

Singapore and Hong Kong's long-delayed travel bubble is finally set to launch on May 26

<ul><li>India’s prestigious <keyword id="55119" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Institute-of-Technology">Indian Institute of Technology</keyword> (IIT), Madras will host the <keyword id="8150706" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore-India-Hackathon-2019">Singapore India Hackathon 2019</keyword>. </li><li>It is a 36-hour long hackathon, focussed on three themes — good health and well-being, quality education, and affordable and clean energy. </li><li>Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> will award prizes to the winning teams. </li><li>Six teams will receive the ‘Prize of Encouragement,’ along with prizes worth $2,000 (₹141,425). </li></ul>India’s prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras will host the second joint competition — <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1586294#">Singapore India Hackathon 2019</a>. The three-day long event will commence on September 28 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the awards ceremony on September 30. Ong Ye Kung, Minister of Education, Singapore will also be present at the function. This will be a 36-hour long hackathon, focussed on three themes — good health and well-being, quality education, and affordable and clean energy. Each of the 20 participating teams will have three students, each from both countries for exchange of culture and ideas. The winning team will be awarded a prize money of $10,000 (₹707,125), while the three runner ups will get $8,000 (₹565,700), $6,000 (₹424,275) and $4,000 (₹282,850) respectively. The Human Resource and Development Ministry (MHRD) of India will also award the ‘Prize of Encouragement of,’ $2,000 each to six teams for ideas with potential. “The Singapore India Hackathon, an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the first of its kind joint <keyword id="6001248" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-hackathon">international hackathon</keyword> between India and any other country. It aims to promote engagement and collaboration of student community in India with the rest of the world and to develop innovative and out-of-the-box solutions for the daunting problems faced by our societies,” said R Subrahmanyam, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. Last year, the Singapore India Hackathon was held at NTU, Singapore in November. The event is organised by MHRD, and its innovation cell (MIC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) jointly with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore and NTUitive. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/american-express-and-techgig-call-for-women-coding-contest-geek-goddess/articleshow/71322227.cms">American Express and TechGig call for women coding contest — Geek Goddess</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/oyo-enters-the-student-housing-segment-partners-with-iit-delhi-and-plaksha-university/articleshow/71310598.cms">OYO enters the student housing segment, partners with IIT Delhi and Plaksha University</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/a-bill-to-do-away-with-ugc-and-aicte-will-be-tabled-in-the-parliament-in-october/articleshow/71305689.cms">A Bill to do away with UGC and AICTE will be tabled in the Parliament in October</a>

IIT Madras to host Singapore India Hackathon in the presence of PM Modi

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/">Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts</a> is offering up to $190,000 in free medical coverage if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay at one of its <keyword id="6356662" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="singapore">Singapore</keyword> hotels, the luxury hotel group announced on Tuesday. </li><li>The coverage is available to international travelers who come to Singapore between January 1 and June 30, 2021, from one of <a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/arriving/overview">11 countries that have special travel arrangements</a> with the island city-state. </li><li>These countries are Australia, Brunei, mainland China, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.</li><li>Singapore, the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-singapore-vaccine-idUSKBN28V1KY">first Asian country to receive Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine</a>, is trying to revive tourism and <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-continuing-to-seek-new-travel-bubble-partners-despite-setback-with-hong-kong-ong">form leisure travel bubbles</a> with other countries in the region. </li></ul>Luxury hotel brand <keyword id="113289" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Shangri-La">Shangri-La</keyword> Hotels and Resorts is offering a new coronavirus-era perk at its hotels in Singapore: up to S$250,000 - or about <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/en/landing/covid-cover/">$190,000 - in free medical coverage</a> for guests who test positive for COVID-19 during their stay at one of its four hotels in the island nation."Having elevated our hotels' already stringent and rigorous safety and hygiene standards, we are now going the extra mile by providing COVID-19 medical coverage to our Singapore-bound guests, further instilling their <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> confidence," Chan Kong Leong, regional CEO for the Shangri-La Group in Southeast Asia &amp; Australasia, said in a press release.The coverage is available only to a select group of international travelers coming to Singapore from one of 11 countries that have special travel arrangements with the city-state.Through its <a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/rgl/overview">Reciprocal Green Lane</a>, Singapore currently allows business and diplomatic travelers from Brunei, mainland China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea to bypass the city-state's mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival. And with its <a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/australia/atp/requirements-and-process">Air Travel Pass</a> program, Singapore permits leisure travelers coming from Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Vietnam to skip the quarantine. <div type="image" title="Shangri La Hotel, Singapore Pool" height="1392" width="1857" msid="80112015" hostid="261"></div>Travelers from these countries must still <a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/rgl/requirements-and-process">test negative for COVID-19 before departure</a> and again upon arrival, quarantine for 1-2 days while awaiting their second test result, and use Singapore's contact tracing app while in the country.In many of the 11 countries, however, including <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/while-youre-away/returning-australia">Australia</a> and <a href="https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/brd/m_2444/view.do?seq=761451">South Korea</a>, residents must still quarantine for 14 days when they return home. Per the press release, Shangri-La's complimentary medical coverage includes expenses for "medically necessary and reasonable costs" if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay at one of the brand's four Singapore hotels: the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore; Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort &amp; Spa; JEN Singapore Orchardgateway; and JEN Singapore Tanglin.The coverage, which is underwritten by AIG Insurance, is available for stays between January 1 and June 20, 2021. To be eligible, guests must book their stays directly through Shangri-La's <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/">website</a>, mobile app, or reservations hotline. Once they do so, they're automatically covered for the duration of their stay.Shangri-La, which has hotels and resorts in <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/en/find-a-hotel/">more than 20 countries</a> including China, the UK, and Australia, chose Singapore to launch the program because of the city-state's gradual relaxing of travel restrictions and because the government "has highlighted COVID-19 insurance coverage as a key enabler to rebuilding traveler confidence," Chan, the group's regional CEO, said in the press release."While COVID-19 has impacted many sectors, we are heartened that our local tourism businesses, including hotels, are making efforts to reimagine their products and refashion their business models," Tan Yen Nee, the Singapore Tourism Board's director for Hotels &amp; Sector Manpower, told Insider. Tan added that the efforts would give future travelers "peace of mind" when they plan a trip to Singapore.<h2>Singapore seeks to revive tourism</h2>Singapore has been looking for ways to bring back tourism as the affluent island city-state has largely kept its COVID-19 outbreak under control.In December, Singapore became the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-singapore-vaccine-idUSKBN28V1KY">first Asian country to receive Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.</a> At the end of the year, it <a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/moving-into-phase-three-of-re-opening">entered Phase three of its reopening</a>, which allows social gatherings of up to eight people and gradually increased capacity at places like shopping malls and religious organizations. At the time of this story's publication, the city-state had only <a href="https://www.gov.sg/features/covid-19">195 active COVID-19 cases</a>. <div type="image" title="singapore tourism merlion" height="1662" width="2217" msid="80112017" hostid="261"></div>Singapore is eager to launch leisure travel bubbles with other countries to allow quarantine-free travel between the city-state and others in the region who have the virus similarly under control. Such a travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong was set to launch in November, but <a href="https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/hongkong/atp/notice">was delayed</a> after Hong Kong reported a new spike in COVID-19 cases."We are really controlling the virus quite well for now... hopefully, I think, sometime next year, different partners <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-continuing-to-seek-new-travel-bubble-partners-despite-hk-setback-ong-ye">will be willing to open up travel bubbles</a>," Singapore's transport minister, Ong Ye Kung, said last month. "We can't close forever. Everybody knows that."Leisure travelers from Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Vietnam do not have to quarantine for 14 days in Singapore, but so far <a href="https://fortune.com/2020/12/15/singapore-tourism-business-travel-bubble/">none of these countries have reciprocated the offer,</a> which has put somewhat of a damper on the city-state's efforts. Travel experts told Channel News Asia in November that <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-air-travel-bubble-which-destination-next-covid-19-13532590">Singapore could be eyeing countries like Japan</a> and South Korea as potential travel bubble partners because Singapore already has pre-existing arrangements with them.Despite Singapore's strict containment measures, the city-state's <keyword id="712339" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="luxury-hotels">luxury hotels</keyword> have not been entirely safe from COVID-19 outbreaks. In December, <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-cases-singapore-stay-home-notice-mandarin-orchard-hotel-13805788">13 imported cases</a> were linked to people who served their quarantine at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore hotel, prompting <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/looking-back-at-the-mandarin-orchard-covid-19-cluster">a two-week closure</a> and a Ministry of Health investigation into the hotel. The hotel has since been cleared for reopening.

You Searched For "Ong Ye Kung" and got 7 results

FLiRT-ing with pandemic! With a sharp rise in COVID cases, could Singapore be witnessing the start of a global wave?

Kunal Kambli

Singapore seeing new COVID-19 wave, minister advises wearing of masks

PTI

Singaporeans who are 'unvaccinated by choice' can no longer receive free COVID-19 treatment

Lauren Frias

Singapore went from a 31% vaccination rate to an 80% vaccination rate in just under 3 months

Vanessa Gu

Singapore and Hong Kong's long-delayed travel bubble is finally set to launch on May 26

Katie Warren

IIT Madras to host Singapore India Hackathon in the presence of PM Modi

Prerna Sindwani

A Singapore luxury hotel group is offering guests almost $200,000 in free medical coverage if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay

Katie Warren

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides