Singapore Advocates ‘Total Defence’ Against Coronavirus

Singapore has advocated ‘Total Defence’ against the novel coronavirus which has recorded 58 cases so far and caused major disruptions in the city- state.

Total Defence must now come into action again against the novel coronavirus. For social defence, each of us must practise good hygiene and distance ourselves from others if sick. If you have cough and other flu symptoms, don't spread the disease to others. At the same time, we must show empathy and compassion to help those who are infected or under quarantine, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said in a statement on the occasion of Total Defence Day 2020.

We must strengthen our psychological defence to withstand the ups and downs from this viral outbreak. We can keep on with our daily lives, by taking sensible precautions. Wash your hands regularly and keep them away from the face.

Even as we deal with the viral outbreak, we must ensure that our economy can function to keep jobs and livelihoods for Singapore. The Government will work with companies and unions to ensure that retrenchments are kept to a minimum, if at all. The Home Team is working hard to keep our borders safe while the SAF stands ever ready to assist and ensures that we do not let down our guard for national defence. Our civil and military defences are in good working order.

False information about the disease or messages to incite hatred against any group do nothing to contain the outbreak. In fact, they do much harm. We must never let these DRUMS - distortions, rumours, untruths, misinformation and smears - be heard lest they sow discord, divide our people and ultimately weaken our will to defeat the outbreak and defend Singapore, the minister’s statement concluded.

Singapore has cancelled several major events and asked staff at major establishments to work from home in order to contain the disease. However, it allowed the Singapore Airshow to go on even as over 60 exhibitors pulled out and attendance at the show was down by over half of the 2018 edition.