Africa

Singapore bank evacuated over coronavirus case

Around 300 employees have been evacuated from Singapore’s biggest bank, DBS, after one person fell ill with the new coronavirus.

All 300 had been working on the same floor, the 43rd, and were sent home yesterday.

Singapore had previously reported 47 cases of the new virus, one of the highest tallies outside China.

Meanwhile, Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix, due to take place in Shanghai on April 19, has been postponed.

Motorsport governing body FIA said the measure had been taken “in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans”. It said it hoped to find an alternative date later in the year “should the situation improve”.

And Vodafone and Nokia became the latest big tech firms to pull out of the Mobile World Congress later this month in Barcelona because of the coronavirus. On Tuesday, Facebook and Intel said they would not take part.

The event is the mobile industry’s biggest and draws more than 100,000 people. Organisers GSMA said they were continuing to “monitor closely” the changing situation and had already implemented “additional health measures” for the event.

The overall number of infections is more than 44,000 on mainland China, with cases in more than 20 countries.

The DBS employee was tested on Tuesday and his infection was confirmed on Wednesday.

“As a precautionary measure, all employees on the affected floor vacated the premises to work from home,” the firm said in a statement.

DBS said “during this difficult time, the bank will be providing this employee and his family with every support and guidance”.

BBC

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