Singapore said Wednesday it would likely lower its alert level for swine flu next week, as the new strain of the virus appeared milder than originally feared.
Authorities however will maintain temperature checks at the city-state's airport, sea ports and land border, the health ministry said in a statement.
Passengers who had travelled to Mexico, the epicentre of the current flu outbreak, within seven days prior to their arrival in Singapore would still be placed under quarantine, it said.
Screenings for flu-like symptoms at offices, schools, buildings and events will be lifted.
If the situation remains the same, the alert level will be downgraded to "yellow" -- the third in a five-step system -- by Monday from the current "orange", the ministry said.
"The new strain of influenza A(H1N1) seems milder than originally feared and appears to be more like seasonal flu," the ministry said.
"However as the situation is still evolving, we would need to constantly review and adjust our responses and be prepared to deal with the changing threat."
The easing of measures is aimed at conserving resources and avoiding "flu fatigue," said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
"We should shift to a sustainable level of flu precaution," he told reporters.
As of Wednesday, 12 people are currently in government-imposed home quarantine, the health ministry said. This includes six Singaporeans, five Mexicans and one Indonesian.
Two of the five Mexicans will complete their seven days in isolation just before midnight Wednesday.
Under Singapore law, anyone found in breach of the quarantine order can be fined 10,000 Singapore dollars (6,802 US), jailed six months or both, for a first-time offence.

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