SINGAPORE — Despite several countries warning their citizens to put off non-essential trips to Singapore, travel agencies here have not seen any cancellations yet, but they are watching the situation closely given that major events such as the Formula One night race is around the corner.

Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom have issued advisories against visiting Singapore, asking travellers to take precautions if they need to do so — after news broke of the first cluster of Zika infections here.

Pregnant women, or women who are planning to get pregnant, are advised not to travel to Singapore, and if so, to take extra precautionery measures. Australia also told its citizens not to get pregnant for two months after they return.

As of Tuesday (Aug 30), there have been 82 locally transmitted Zika cases reported in Singapore, centred in the Aljunied Crescent and Sims Avenue districts, with a few cases further north from there in Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way.

Travel agencies interviewed by TODAY said there have been no cancellations on bookings, and they would adjust their itineraries if necessary as they keep watch over the latest developments.

Ms Jane Chang, head of marketing communications at Chan Brothers Travel, said: “We will closely monitor the local situation, including updates from the Ministry of Health, as customer safety is our utmost priority. Adjustments to programmes can be made if need be, and visitations to attractions can be replaced with other indoor inclusions.”

Tour East Holdings is hoping that there would be minimal impact to travel bookings. “So many people (were) willing to travel to Brazil during the Olympics despite the high level of infection (there),” its spokesperson said, adding that those with tickets to the Formula One event happening Sept 16 to 18 here are unlikely to cancel their trips.

“If there were to be any impact, it will be those who have not made any arrangements,” she added.

The Singapore Tourism Board sought to reassure travellers that Singapore “remains a safe travel destination”. Ms Choo Huei Miin, director of visitor experience at the board, said: “The well-being and health of our visitors remain our top priority. We advise visitors to refer to the (Health Ministry’s) webpage on Zika for the latest health advisory and adopt measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”

For those already staying at or going to Sentosa island, the Sentosa Development Corporation urged “all to play their part in mitigation”, adding that it is “too preliminary to assess Zika’s impact on visitorship”.

The resort island has stepped up vector checks and control as a precautionary measure, its spokesperson said. “We are intensifying inspections at common areas and construction sites, including working with our island business partners and residents to do the same at their premises. Our focus is on searching and destroying any potential mosquito breeding habitats, with increased frequency of such operations.”

It, too, is monitoring the situation closely and will take action based on guidelines from the various Government agencies.

At the Aljunied area where the Zika infection cluster is, at least one food outlet has seen a drop in traffic. It and other businesses have quickly adopted measures to protect customers against mosquitoes.

Mr Phuah Teck Shin, general manager of Eco Harmony Cafe, said business has been hit hard in the past few days, although his cafe does not have any outdoor seating.

“When the news came out, everyone was scared of (going to) the area, so business has been poor since Sunday afternoon,” he said.

Now, he burns “a type of dry grass” that is said to ward off mosquitoes at the premises, and has closed all the windows.

Wang Jin Coffeeshop at Block 261 Serangoon Central Drive, just 2km away from Aljunied, has told its pest control company to step up treatments weekly. Owner Andy Wong said: “I hope Zika won’t spread to this area. Hygiene is important, and now we are spraying our premises more often than before.”

Outside of the cluster zone, Red Baron, a cafe at Gillman Barracks off Alexandra Road, is providing mosquito repellents for its customers because it has mostly outdoor seating. Co-owner Prashant Somosundram said: “We have put out bottles of these, which can easily be seen, or customers can just ask for them.”