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SINGAPORE: Singapore will establish more regional COVID-19 detection centers and dormitory testing facilities, in addition to offering nightly swabs for workers to “adapt to their work cycles,” the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said and the Health Promotion Board (HPB). on Thursday (October 8).
There are currently 20 regional screening centers in Singapore, with 14 centers facilitating the listed routine testing of migrant workers living in dormitories, as well as workers in the construction, marine and process sectors.
“More regional screening centers are being prepared to ensure that swab testing needs continue to be met,” said MOM and HPB in their joint press release.
“The plan is to have 25 to 30 regional screening centers up and running by the end of the year and about two-thirds of these sites will be running (routine tests listed).”
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By the end of October, nine more routine testing facilities including dormitories will be established, in addition to the 24 facilities currently in operation.
Four of these facilities, Acacia Lodge, Cassia @ Penjuru, Central Staff Apartments and Westlite Mandai, will offer nightly swabs for workers.
More than 35,000 migrant workers can benefit from the new initiative, the agencies said.
COVID-19 testing facility on site at Avery Key dorm in Woodlands. (Photo: Ministry of Manpower)
“Employers whose workers reside in dormitories with facilities (routine roster tests) can schedule their workers’ appointments (routine roster tests) in their bedrooms or at regional screening centers,” MOM and HPB said.
“This adds to the convenience and ease for employers and workers to undergo routine roster testing.”
With the swab registration system, employers can select preferred swab locations and test dates for their workers. Once workers attend their first appointment, the system will automatically schedule them for subsequent routine test appointments.
READ: MOM Introduces More Specific COVID-19 Quarantine Approach to Foreign Workers’ Dormitories
Routine checklist testing is a “critical part” of early detection of COVID-19 and to contain its transmission, MOM and HPB said.
“Workers and employers are reminded to ensure that those who must undergo (routine tests listed) continue to do so, to safeguard their health and that of the community at large,” the agencies added.
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