PH embassy in Singapore resumes operations; 102 out of 150 Pinoy COVID-19 patients recover
By Roy Mabasa
Out of the 150 Filipinos infected with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in Singapore, 102 have been discharged or recovered from the disease while the remaining 48 are still undergoing treatment in hospitals or isolation wards, Ambassador Joseph Del Mar Yap said on Thursday.
The Philippine Embassy, he said, has also returned to full consular operations, including passport issuance, but with strict compliance to the health protocols being implemented by the host government such as social distancing and wearing of facemasks.
Yap noted that the recovery of the majority of Filipinos afflicted with COVID-19 coincides with the improving situation in Singapore as it moves toward a more relaxed situation under the post “circuit breaker” measure.
“As of June 2, they already lifted the circuit breaker measures. Lockdown has been removed. The situation will be relaxed starting tomorrow (June 19) when more activities will be allowed under the Phase of the re-opening,” Yap said.
The circuit breaker term was coined by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that refers to hunkering down at home in order to break the chain of transmissions of COVID-19 in the community.
As of June 18, 2020, Singapore has a total of 41,216 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 31,938 of which have recovered and with only 26 deaths.
“They (Singaporean government) were able to keep it under control. The important thing is that the numbers are low,” the Philippine envoy said.
Under the Phase 2 reopening in Singapore, Yap said most businesses like retail outlets will be allowed to operate with safe distancing measures, except for theaters, cinemas, and religious activities.
To date, Yap said the Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, has extended cash assistance to more than 1,400 distressed and stranded Filipinos in Singapore.
Despite the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions, Yap advised Filipinos in Singapore to avoid gathering or converging especially in large groups.
“Under Phase 2, there are more activities allowed but it doesn’t mean there is no more COVID-19,” he stressed.