Speaking to reporters to today, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong had very bad news for Singaporeans. He said that the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) will arrive in Singapore "sooner or later" because Singapore is intricately connected to the world.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said the same thing and warned that it was only "a matter of time" before MERS hits Singapore.
Asked whether temperature screening at airports will be extended to passengers from Thailand, Mr Gan declined to give a straight answer and said that there would be "protocols" to follow. Currently, only travellers coming from MERS-infected areas such as the Middle East and South Korea will be screened.
Gan also said that hospitals have been reminded to be vigilant about MERS and reminders have been sent to health care providers throughout the island, including General Practitioners.