We cannot predict when and what a future RAINY DAY will be like, but we can look back at one rainy day.
SARS in 2003
The immediate impact on the economy was the sharp decline in tourism and related services - hotels, airlines, travel agencies - which contributes about $7.8 billion (approx 5% of total of gross GDP) in 2002.
Tourist arrivals dropped by 15% in March and 67% in April.
This greatly affected tourists' consumption in Singapore.
Hotel occupancy rate fell from 75% in February to a low of 20 - 30% in April.
34 airlines announced temporary cutback in flights to and from Singapore between March and June 2003.
SIA slashed 298 flights from its weekly schedule.
Passenger load at Changi airport dropped by 50%.
A number of conventions and exhibitions were cancelled, the largest being Broadcast and CommunicAsia.
In the education services industry, there were fewer overseas student enquiries and even fewer still enrolments during the period.
Companies were affected by the many Singaporeans who were quarantined. Some had to shut their production lines.
As high value goods are usually transported via air, the cut in the number of flights by airlines affected goods delivery and export.
Local consumption dropped as people shunned public places, restaurants, hawker centres and malls.
Even taxi companies were not spared as bookings dropped.
Unemployment moved up to a record 5.5%.
During the April-June quarter, when the full impact was felt, the economy contracted sharply by 4.2% year-on-year.
Key responses:
1. Prevention and control within community
Early detection and isolation of suspected and probable cases.
Educating the public on symptoms and how Sars spread.
Urging people to seek early treatment.
Thermometers distributed to more than 1 million households. Temperature checks at schools and workplaces.
GPs, polyclinics and hospitals given all the necessary information to help them identify cases.
Suspected/probable cases quickly isolated in TTSH or CDC (Communicable Disease Centre).
Contract tracing to quarantine all individuals in contact with identified cases.
A dedicated private ambulance service commissioned to transport suspected and probable cases to TTSH in order to prevent spread through taxis and other public transport system.
2. Prevention and Control Within Hospitals
TTSH and CDC designated as facilities for isolating and treating suspected and probable SARS cases.
Temperature check of all visitors and their personal details taken down to facilitate contact tracing.
Number of visitors restricted, even barring them completely at one stage.
3. Prevention of Imported Cases
All airlines operating flights to Singapore were required to screen passengers at their check-in counters.
Those who appeared unwell would need to obtain a doctor's certification in order to board the flight to Singapore.
Incoming travellers were required to complete a health declaration card and subjected to temperature checks upon arrival.
In addition to visual checks by on-site nurses, thermal imaging scanners were deployed at air, sea and land checkpoints to help pick out those with a high temperature.
Passengers arriving from SARS-affected areas were also handed health advisory cards providing information on SARS symptoms and how to seek help if they become ill with such symptoms.
The Government's handling of the crisis won the confidence of the international business community.
The Australian chamber and US Chamber of Commerce issued statements confirming that the Singapore government's measured, transparent and effective approach to fighting and containing SARS had reaffirmed a high level of trust among the business community. The two chambers felt that the open and honest communication with all sectors of the population, including expatriates, had worked to abate the fear of traveling to Singapore.
Tourist arrivals dropped by 15% in March and 67% in April.
This greatly affected tourists' consumption in Singapore.
Hotel occupancy rate fell from 75% in February to a low of 20 - 30% in April.
34 airlines announced temporary cutback in flights to and from Singapore between March and June 2003.
SIA slashed 298 flights from its weekly schedule.
Passenger load at Changi airport dropped by 50%.
A number of conventions and exhibitions were cancelled, the largest being Broadcast and CommunicAsia.
In the education services industry, there were fewer overseas student enquiries and even fewer still enrolments during the period.
Companies were affected by the many Singaporeans who were quarantined. Some had to shut their production lines.
As high value goods are usually transported via air, the cut in the number of flights by airlines affected goods delivery and export.
Local consumption dropped as people shunned public places, restaurants, hawker centres and malls.
Even taxi companies were not spared as bookings dropped.
Unemployment moved up to a record 5.5%.
During the April-June quarter, when the full impact was felt, the economy contracted sharply by 4.2% year-on-year.
Key responses:
1. Prevention and control within community
Early detection and isolation of suspected and probable cases.
Educating the public on symptoms and how Sars spread.
Urging people to seek early treatment.
Thermometers distributed to more than 1 million households. Temperature checks at schools and workplaces.
GPs, polyclinics and hospitals given all the necessary information to help them identify cases.
Suspected/probable cases quickly isolated in TTSH or CDC (Communicable Disease Centre).
Contract tracing to quarantine all individuals in contact with identified cases.
A dedicated private ambulance service commissioned to transport suspected and probable cases to TTSH in order to prevent spread through taxis and other public transport system.
2. Prevention and Control Within Hospitals
TTSH and CDC designated as facilities for isolating and treating suspected and probable SARS cases.
Temperature check of all visitors and their personal details taken down to facilitate contact tracing.
Number of visitors restricted, even barring them completely at one stage.
3. Prevention of Imported Cases
All airlines operating flights to Singapore were required to screen passengers at their check-in counters.
Those who appeared unwell would need to obtain a doctor's certification in order to board the flight to Singapore.
Incoming travellers were required to complete a health declaration card and subjected to temperature checks upon arrival.
In addition to visual checks by on-site nurses, thermal imaging scanners were deployed at air, sea and land checkpoints to help pick out those with a high temperature.
Passengers arriving from SARS-affected areas were also handed health advisory cards providing information on SARS symptoms and how to seek help if they become ill with such symptoms.
The Government's handling of the crisis won the confidence of the international business community.
The Australian chamber and US Chamber of Commerce issued statements confirming that the Singapore government's measured, transparent and effective approach to fighting and containing SARS had reaffirmed a high level of trust among the business community. The two chambers felt that the open and honest communication with all sectors of the population, including expatriates, had worked to abate the fear of traveling to Singapore.
No comments:
Post a Comment