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Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Quick-fix facials, AI-powered activities and freebies to change the travel shopping experience
The global travel retail market is projected to grow to $129 billion in 2025, up from $114 billion in 2024. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY SINGAPORE – The travel retail scene in modern airports typically comprises a mix of duty-free complexes, food and beverage options, luxury retailers and fashion boutiques. But to appeal to a new generation of value-conscious, experience-driven travellers, airports and their brand partners are beginning to explore new retail initiatives to arrest the captive market that ambles along transit halls. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
AskST: Covid-19 cases are increasing, what should I do to protect myself?
Seniors, and the immunocompromised should get an updated vaccine jab despite Covid-19's endemic status, say experts. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY AskST: Covid-19 cases are increasing, what should I do to protect myself? SINGAPORE – There has been a recent uptick in Covid-19 cases here, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stating on May 13 that the estimated number of such cases stood at 14,200 for the week of April 27 to May 3, up from 11,100 the previous week. This comes more than two years after Singapore lifted all its pandemic restrictions in February 2023. With Covid-19 now treated as an endemic disease, do people need to return to precautions such as regular mask wearing and hand sanitising to protect themselves? AskST takes a look. Q. Why is there a spike in Covid-19 cases now? A. MOH and CDA said that among the possible reasons for the current increase in cases is waning population immunity. This could be down to waning immunity in individuals who have not taken a Covid-19 shot in some time, said Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease expert with Rophi Clinic. Lower uptake of the updated vaccines also means that newer strains of the coronavirus can overcome existing immunity trained by 'out-of-date vaccines', Dr Leong said. Fewer people taking the updated vaccines can also result in reduced herd immunity, he added. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, in a Facebook post on May 13, said: 'As with other endemic respiratory diseases, periodic Covid-19 waves are expected throughout the year.' The two main Covid-19 variants currently circulating in Singapore are LF.7 and NB.1.8 – both descended from the JN.1 variant that emerged in August 2023 – which currently account for more than two-thirds of cases here. Q. Now that Covid-19 is treated as endemic, what precautions can people take to avoid infection? A. When Singapore exited the acute phase of the pandemic and lifted its remaining Covid-19 restrictions in early 2023, MOH noted then that the risk of Covid-19 infections leading to severe illness or death had become 'very low', comparable with other endemic respiratory diseases such as influenza or pneumococcal infections. However, this does not mean people should not take precautions, experts said. The elderly and younger people with existing health conditions should try to minimise their risk of infection, said Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore. 'This could mean going for additional Covid-19 booster jabs, or wearing a mask when outdoors, during a period like this where there is an uptick in the number of Covid-19 cases,' he added , noting that mask wearing can also prevent other infections such as influenza. 'The usual vigilance over hand and personal hygiene will similarly be recommended, and this really is regardless of whether or not there is a surge in cases,' said Prof Teo. Dr Leong said that those with seniors or vulnerable people at home should also consider taking precautions as they may spread the virus without showing symptoms themselves. He noted that he typically gives Covid-19 patients medical leave for up to five days – during which they should try to isolate themselves from others – though this duration can vary based on severity. He noted that in addition to long Covid – symptoms of which include poorer cognitive function as well as respiratory issues such as shortness of breath – some studies have pointed to Covid-19 infection resulting in an increased risk of conditions such as diabetes and dementia. Q. Should I take the updated Covid-19 vaccine? A. Dr Leong said the evolution of the coronavirus over time means that everyone, particularly the elderly and immunocompromised, should get a jab of the updated vaccine to be protected. Prof Teo said: 'I will strongly recommend people who are older, or if they have pre-existing health conditions, to be up to date with their Covid-19 and influenza vaccinations.' He added that taking such precautions would help reduce the risk of infection and serious complications. Since October, updated versions of Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty vaccine and Moderna's Spikevax vaccine have been available here, with both having shown to be effective against the JN.1 variant. Q. Is Covid-19 becoming milder? A. While some have suggested the disease is becoming milder – with Singapore seeing its average daily cases requiring intensive care decreasing for the week of April 27 to May 3 – this may not be the case, said Dr Leong. Rather, it is more likely that vaccinations and prior infections have primed people's bodies for infection, protecting them from serious complications, he suggested. Some, such as University of Missouri School of Medicine molecular virologist Marc Johnson, have suggested that Covid-19 could evolve from a respiratory infection to a faecal-oral virus, similar to cholera or hepatitis A. Prof Teo, however, said there is little evidence to suggest Singapore should change its approach to the disease. 'There is a considerable degree of surveillance that is happening, not just in Singapore but across a number of countries, and alarm bells will ring if there are changes to the virus that warrant different strategies to protect the population,' he said. 'At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest the approach that Singapore is taking is inadequate and needs to change.' Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Bishan Stadium's capacity to be expanded to 10,000 for Lion City Sailors' Asian Champs League 2 final
There will be three new stands on the north, east and south sides of Bishan Stadium, bringing the capacity up to 10,000 for the Asian Champions League Two final. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Bishan Stadium's capacity to be expanded to 10,000 for Lion City Sailors' Asian Champs League 2 final SINGAPORE – Preparations are underway to expand Bishan Stadium's capacity to 10,000 for the Lion City Sailors' historic Asian Champions League Two final against Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates on May 18. In a media statement on May 5, the club said that stands are being erected on three sides of the pitch so that the stadium can accommodate over three times more spectators for the continental showpiece. The main stand's capacity is only 2,800. Work being done to construct the north stand at the Bishan Stadium on May 5 ahead of the Asian Champions League Two final on May 18. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY When The Straits Times visited the stadium on the same day, workers were seen constructing the north stand and putting finishing touches to the east stand, with the help of a lorry crane. The south stand seemed to be completed. Bishan Stadium was a designated rally site during the recent general election, but the pitch looked fine after protective boards, which were used to cover the field during the campaigning period, were removed on May 2. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which had earlier granted provisional approval for the Sailors to host the final at Bishan, is expected to conduct a final inspection this week. 'The significant effort to prepare the venue for the final reflects the Sailors' commitment to ensure that this historic occasion can be enjoyed by as many fans as possible,' added the club statement. 'It is also the Sailors' desire to create an immersive atmosphere worthy of a continental cup final as the team chases glory on home soil.' Sailors chairman Forrest Li added in the statement: 'This final is not just a milestone for the Sailors – it's a celebration of Singapore football. 'We can't wait to see the stands packed and the nation rallying behind the team.' Tickets will go on sale via Sistic on May 6 at noon, with prices ranging from $26 (students and seniors) for all stands to $50 for a main-stand seat. Those who are part of The Deck, the club's official membership programme, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount on all ticket prices. Around five per cent of the total seats will be allocated to away fans. The Sailors had reached the ACL 2 final, which is contested by the top teams from East and West Asia, after a 2-1 aggregate win over A-League side Sydney FC in their two-legged semi-finals. Sharjah advanced also with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun in their last-four tie. The venue of the final alternates between both regions yearly, with this being the East region's turn. The Sailors had played their six ACL 2 home matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium this season, winning four times, drawing once and losing once. However, after both sides qualified for the showpiece, Sharjah requested via an open letter on social media that the final not be played at Jalan Besar, citing its artificial pitch and 6,000-seater capacity. The 55,000-seater National Stadium will be unavailable, as the first of Lady Gaga's four concerts will take place there on the day of the final. Workers adding in the seats to the newly erected east stand at the Bishan Stadium on May 5. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Following inspections by AFC officials, Bishan Stadium – also the home ground of the SPL-leading Sailors and Balestier Khalsa in the domestic league – was on April 23 given provisional approval to stage the final. The Sailors added that they 'are working closely with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore and sport industry partners to ensure that the venue is match-ready and deliver a true spectacle – one that showcases the nation's ability to stage world-class football events'. Fans can also look forward to an 'enhanced matchday experience', with mobile food trucks, carnival games and photo booths set to build the buzz ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Besides increasing the capacity, other preparations include improvements to the natural grass pitch and enhancements to the floodlights to meet TV broadcast requirements. According to the 2021 edition of the AFC Stadium Regulations, a horizontal illuminance – the amount of light that falls on a horizontal surface – of 1,800 lux is required for the final of the AFC Cup, the ACL 2's predecessor, while 1,400 lux is sufficient for the competition's earlier stages. Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
