SINGAPORE — There is no reason for other countries to impose travel advisories on Singapore, as the Republic has taken adequate measures to contain the novel coronavirus, said Singapore Tourism Board chief executive Keith Tan on Tuesday (Feb 11). 

Speaking to reporters at the agency’s annual review of the city-state’s tourism performance, Mr Tan said: “We're very confident in the measures that our government has taken to contain the outbreak of the virus here in Singapore and hence we see no reason for any travel advisories against Singapore”. 

He added that the Foreign Affairs Ministry will be working very closely with other countries if they make any indications that they would impose a travel advisory on Singapore. 

In the wake of the escalating novel coronavirus situation here, several places have begun to issue travel warnings on a growing list of countries and Singapore is now included in some of these lists. 

On Tuesday, South Korea strongly advised its citizens to refrain from travelling to Singapore and five other countries including China, while Taiwan's government advised its people to take precautions if going to Singapore.

On Monday, Middle Eastern countries Kuwait and Qatar have each issued travel advisories urging their citizens to defer travel plans to Singapore. On the same day, Sarawak’s authorities said travellers who have recently visited Singapore must quarantine themselves for 14 days once they enter the Malaysian city.

On Sunday, Israel's health ministry widened its travel warning to additional Asian destinations, including Singapore. It advised the public to consider whether travel to these places was necessary.

Last week, the United Kingdom also advised travellers returning from nine countries and territories, including Singapore, to stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and inform the authorities if they develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, within 14 days of returning to the UK. 

Several foreigners who have been infected with the novel coronavirus were found to have travelled to Singapore. 

They include two South Koreans, a Malaysian and a British national, all of whom attended a business conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at Orchard Road, a famous shopping belt where tourists often frequent. 

A Chinese national from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus originated from, also attended this meeting. 

The Health Ministry earlier said that there were 94 foreign participants at this meeting, believed to be convened by gas analysis firm Servomex, which is based in the United Kingdom. 

The novel coronavirus has now spread to 28 countries, with Singapore reporting 45 confirmed cases as of Monday — the highest number of cases outside of China.

It raised its risk assessment alert level last Friday after a few cases of local transmission were confirmed by the Health Ministry, sparking concerns among other countries. 

However, STB's Mr Tan stressed that the Government here has taken measures to contain the virus. 

When asked whether the virus situation would have an impact on Singapore’s long-term image, he said that the authorities here are more concerned about facts.

“Making decisions based on hearsay is not right and so we want to make sure that other governments that are considering (imposing travel advisories on Singapore) have a full understanding of the measures that we have taken, that we have put in place, and a full understanding of the facts,” he added. 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the article stated that the UK advised travellers returning from nine countries and territories including Singapore to stay at home for 14 days. This is incorrect. Those traveling to these places should stay indoors, avoid contact with others and inform the authorities if they are unwell within 14 days of returning to the UK. We are sorry for the error.