Here is what will happen if you land at Changi Airport and have been in Mexico in the past week: You will have to fill in a form declaring that you were there. After that, you will have to stay at home for seven days under a Home Quarantine Order which is backed by law. For those who are visiting Singapore but have also set foot in the epicentre of the swine flu epidemic, they will be put up in chalets, hotels or flats. No, it does not matter if the returning traveller or tourist is feeling perfectly fine. This 'interventionist' approach is needed as the virus can slip past thermal screening at border checkpoints as symptoms may not haven yet shown up. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that other affected areas might be placed on the list too, but for the moment, a start will be made with travellers who have been to Mexico.
As during the Sars crisis, those quarantined will get calls to check if they have developed symptoms. If so, an ambulance will convey them to the Communicable Disease Centre for a thorough assessment. Under the Infectious Diseases Act, those who contravene the order can face a fine of up to $10,000 and up to six months in jail. Asked why New York, with more than 90 cases, was not on the list, given that more Singaporeans go to the city than Mexico, Mr Khaw said that it could well happen later. Besides Mexico and New York, California, Kansas and Texas in the United States, and Nova Scotia in Canada, are considered swine flu affected areas.