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SINGAPORE: A total of 5,700 workers are currently unable to resume work as they have not yet undergone mandatory routine COVID-19 testing as of Friday (September 18).
This is a “significant reduction” from the 13,000 workers last week, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Buildings and Construction Authority (BCA), the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Promotion Board. of Health (HPB) in a joint press release.
READ: Singapore reports 11 new COVID-19 cases, lowest daily figure since March 12
The access code status for these 5,700 workers will remain “red” and they will not be able to return to work.
Once these workers have undergone their tests, their access code will be reset to “green” and they will be allowed to return to work, authorities said.
Since August, authorities have been engaging employers and reminding them to schedule their workers for the routine tests listed before the Sept. 5 deadline.
“The agencies have also ensured that there are enough routine test slots lined up to reserve and assisted employers who faced difficulties scheduling workers,” the statement said.
Authorities advised employers to quickly schedule appointment slots for their workers in the Health Promotion Board’s Swab Registration System to avoid further disruption to their business operations.
Employers who are recalcitrant and do not schedule their workers for RRT will have their work pass privileges restricted.
READ: The Ministry of Health conducts field tests to verify the feasibility of generalized saliva tests for COVID-19
The importance of the routine tests listed has been demonstrated in a case of one of the specially constructed dormitories, authorities said.
As of the end of August, only 25% of dorm residents who needed to undergo routine tests were doing so.
Subsequently, a total of 115 COVID-19 cases were picked up from the bedroom when all residents underwent a preventive test as a precautionary measure.
“Cases could have been detected and contained much earlier to prevent the spread of infection if all workers had been scheduled for their scheduled routine tests,” authorities said.
Multiple lapses were also found in the implementation of safe distancing measures, and the dormitory operator has been notified to correct these lapses.
The operator will also improve security measures through an additional segregation infrastructure to limit mixing between residents.
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