By Bertha Henson, Associate Editor

EXPECT to have your temperature taken when you attend big events, and to be asked for your contact details when you enter office buildings.

Such procedures at schools, workplaces and hospitals will start now, as Singapore moves into 'orange' mode in its five-colour alert system, which progresses from green through yellow, orange, red and black.

It might well move to red soon, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday, as he detailed more stringent measures to combat swine flu.

Better to act now than to play catch-up
Only a matter of time before S'pore gets hit
By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent

THE death toll will mount as the number of people infected with the new H1N1 swine flu virus increases.

And it is just a matter of time before the first case appears in Singapore, warned Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday.

Unlike normal flu strains, from which many people have some immunity, the swine flu is totally new, so people have no protection against it.

SIA waives flight change and cancellation fees
By Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) will allow its customers to change travel itineraries or cancel flights, at no cost, because of the swine flu outbreak.

A $75 cancellation charge is usually levied for Singapore-issued tickets while fees for making amendments vary with fare types.

SIA said yesterday its policy is for all travellers, and not just those booked on flights to affected areas.

Hospitals and clinics leave nothing to chance
Screening and limiting number of visitors among measures taken
By Lee Hui Chieh & Leow Si Wan

HOSPITALS and clinics here have tightened precautions against the Mexican swine flu even further, now that the Health Ministry has raised the alert level from yellow to orange.

Hospitals will screen all visitors for fever and flu symptoms, and each patient can have only one visitor instead of two.

Hospital staff will now don full personal protective equipment - N95 mask, disposable gown and gloves - in all areas where they have contact with patients, instead of just high-risk areas such as the emergency and intensive-care units.

Stay away from crowds if you're unwell
By Yen Feng

MINUTES after Mr Edison Ngo heard yesterday on the news that the Health Ministry had raised Singapore's swine influenza alert to orange, he swung into action.

Outside the Peranakan Museum in Armenian Street, he set up a table stocked with digital thermometers, face masks and gloves.

The 26-year-old Civil Service College student was there to organise a dinner for more than 100 of the school's civil servants. Asked why he had responded so quickly to the new alert, he shrugged: 'I'm expecting a lot of people. This is what we're supposed to be doing at orange alert, right?'

Call 993 for special ambulance
By Sujin Thomas

THOSE who develop flu-like symptoms after returning from a swine flu-stricken country can call 993 for a dedicated ambulance service to convey them to the Communicable Disease Centre.

However, this service should not be abused as it could affect access to those who are in genuine need of it, stressed the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The special ambulance service, first introduced by MOH during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) crisis in 2003, was reactivated yesterday.

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