SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will no longer be attending a meeting in Canberra with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, but will hold it via video conference instead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday (March 16). 

In an online statement, the ministry said that Mr Morrison had telephoned Mr Lee over the weekend to discuss the visit in view of Australia’s travel restrictions on in-bound visitors.

Mr Lee was scheduled to visit Canberra on March 23.

Australia on Sunday (March 15) announced that all travellers to the country will face a mandatory 14-day self-isolation, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In view of this, both leaders agreed that discussions will be done via video conference instead, and to proceed with the planned signings of bilateral agreements, the statement said.

“This demonstrates the conviction of both sides that it is important to continue with the business of government, and maintain the good momentum of the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” said the ministry. 

“(This is) even as we each deal with the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.” 

There are now nearly 300 cases of Covid-19 across Australia and five people have died, media reports said.