SARS Outbreak
Thursday, 13th March 2003
The SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, outbreaks was traced to a 23 year-old female Singaporean traveler returning from Hong Kong on 25 February 2003. In all, SARS has killed 25 Singaporeans and infected 173 more over the next two months. From March to May 2003, SARS raged in Singapore. Schools were closed. The Pasir Panjang wholesale vegetable market was closed off. Visitors stopped coming to Singapore. Changi Airport was deserted. Shopping malls and restaurants emptied out. The economy took a terrible hit as many businesses folded. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong told Singaporeans the SAR outbreak costed the country about $1 billion.
Update: On 6 May 2003, CDC Lowers SARS Travel Warnings for Singapore. On 31 May, the World Health Organization declared Singapore SARS-free.