12 March 2020
Dear NDSAs, Sports Teams,
As of 12 March 2020, over 100 countries worldwide have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19. To control the import of COVID-19 cases, some countries have put in place travel restrictions against visitors from affected countries.
The government has advised travellers to defer non-essential travel to Mainland China, Iran, northern Italy, Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
If you are planning to travel overseas for training, competitions, etc during this period, do check on the entry restrictions of the countries you are travelling to. Some countries may have restrictions against travellers from Singapore, including those who have been in transit.
Declaration of travel plans
In line with staying prepared and safeguard everyone against COVID-19, coaches, officials and athletes are required to declare their travel plans to their respective Sports Officers at least 2 weeks before the intended travel date. Declaration should also include the date of departure and arrival, destination and purpose of travel.
Coaches, officials and athletes are advised to stay vigilant, monitor developments, and heed the advice of local authorities.
What to do when you come back from your travels
You should monitor your health closely for two weeks upon return to Singapore, and seek medical attention promptly if you feel unwell.
You should inform your doctor of your travel history. If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath), you should wear a mask and call the clinic ahead of the visit.
Stay Home Notice
Anyone with recent travel history to mainland China (excluding Hubei province), Iran, northern Italy or South Korea will be required to remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period under the Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
With the recent increase in locally transmitted cases, coaches, officials and athletes should avoid social contact and see a doctor early if unwell. We must raise our hygiene standards and exercise social responsibility to contain the spread in Singapore.
SDSC would like to reiterate that the below action plan is still in force until further advice.’
1. Training Activities
It will be COMPULSORY for precautionary measures (outlined below) to be ENFORCED by all officials and coaches, before training activities can continue.
Precautionary Measures
A. Temperature Taking Before and After Training
Athlete/official/caregiver/coach must not have a temperature above 37.5 degrees. Any person with temperature above 37.5 degrees will not be permitted to continue training.
B. Handwashing with Soap
Athlete/official/caregiver/coach must wash their hands with soap before and after training.
2. Suspension of Training Activities
All athletes deemed to be from the vulnerable groups, i.e. athletes with respiratory problems, boccia athletes, are to continue with the SUSPENSION of all training activities until further advice. All teams on suspension are reminded to keep track of the latest updates on COVID-19 and to communicate with their respective Sports Officers on plans to resume activities with precautionary measures in place.
As part of the social distancing measure implemented by the government, all senior coaches, officials and athletes aged 50 years old and above are advised to refrain from attending training and activities from 11 March to 24 March 2020.
Additional precautionary measures including reducing the group size of activities to prevent crowding, re-organising activities to minimise physical contact, increasing the frequency of sanitising equipment between activities, providing sufficient facilities for regular hand washing, and checking if participants are well should be implemented before activities are resumed.
At SDSC, the safety of our participants, our partners and members of the public, is our top priority. Refer to SDSC’s DORSCON measures attached. Please continue to exercise precaution and stay safe. Please refer to go.gov.sg/mohupdates for latest updates.
If you have any questions, please contact the relevant sports officer or call 6342 3501.
Thank you very much.
