Singapore is tightening distancing measures aggressively after identifying a jump in unlinked Covid-19 cases, as well as a cluster in Changi airport potentially involving the more virulent variant first discovered in India, according to preliminary test results.
The city-state reported 71 locally transmitted cases in the past week, 15 of which remain unlinked — a matter deemed “worrying” by Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s health minister. “We are in a state of heightened alert,” he said.
The increase in infections means “it is very likely that Singapore will not be able to meet the resumption criteria” for the travel bubble with Hong Kong that was meant to kick off on May 26, said Ong Ye Kung, transport minister.
Authorities are also in touch with organisers of upcoming conferences meant to be held in Singapore, including the Shangri-La Dialogue, the annual Asian defence summit set for early June, and the World Economic Forum, scheduled for mid-August.
“Organisers are monitoring the situation both globally and in Singapore very closely … [and they] will also take into…
