SINGAPORE — Despite the heightened Wuhan virus situation in Singapore, with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) carrying out temperature checks at both land checkpoints on Friday (Jan 24), travellers crossing the borders were going about their commute as per normal.

Travellers TODAY spoke to said that traffic was smooth and the congestion they experienced was not worse than usual.

One of them, Mr Abdul Ghani, 47, had just returned from Johor Baru with his family of six through Woodlands Checkpoint.

The technician said: “We didn’t have any problems with the temperature screening. There were a lot of (advisories) put up around the checkpoint so we know the situation is getting serious.”

Mr Ghani was referring to the health advisories put up by the ICA in light of the coronavirus situation and the expected increase in travel volume over the Chinese New Year weekend.

The health authorities on Friday confirmed another two imported cases of the Wuhan virus, bringing the total to three.

Some travellers took precautions by wearing masks.

Ms Evelyn Yee, 34, who was crossing the border to visit her mother in Melaka, told TODAY that she started carrying a mask around ever since news of the first confirmed case in Singapore broke.

“It’s just a precaution to safeguard myself. I don’t want to get sick and miss out on Chinese New Year celebrations,” said the preschool teacher.

SCREENING STATIONS SET UP

At a media briefing at Tuas Checkpoint, Superintendent Joe Tan, who is also the checkpoint’s duty commander of ground operations, said screening stations have been set up at strategic locations.

Anyone found to have a fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius will be sent to a holding area for further checks, he added.

Those with symptoms of being infected will be referred to on-site doctors who will subsequently test for the novel coronavirus. Suspected cases will be isolated and later taken to a hospital for further assessment, said Supt Tan.

Similarly, travellers who arrive in vehicles and are found with coronavirus symptoms will be placed in a holding area where all passengers will undergo necessary checks.

The ICA said those taking the train will be screened at the alighting platform while bus passengers will be screened at the alighting concourse or the hall before the immigration counters. Bus drivers will be screened at the security check area.

Travellers in lorries will be screened at the cargo platforms in the checkpoints or at the immigration counters while those in cars will have to wind down their windows to undergo screening.

Motorcyclists will also have to remove their helmets.

The ICA said delays are expected at both checkpoints for the temperature screening, on top of the heavy arrival traffic.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health confirmed two more cases of the coronavirus in Singapore.

A 53-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man have tested positive and have been isolated upon admission at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) respectively. Both Chinese nationals are in stable condition.

The man is the son of the first confirmed case — a male Wuhan resident, 66, who arrived in Singapore on Jan 20. He is currently isolated at SGH and is in stable condition.

There are 44 suspected cases as of Friday noon, out of which 13 has been ruled out and three have been confirmed.

This is a surge from the 28 suspected cases MOH announced on Thursday.

The virus outbreak has to date killed 26 people in China and infected 830. While Wuhan is on lockdown, the virus has reached countries like Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and the United States.