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SINGAPORE – Starting Saturday (October 31), eligible migrant workers living in dormitories will be able to visit Recreation Centers (CRs) on their days off.
In a press release on Wednesday, the Labor Ministry said this easing of restrictions comes after more than two months of trials and with COVID-19 infection rates in the community and bedrooms kept at low levels during a period of time.
Starting Saturday, recovered workers who still have immunity to COVID-19, as well as those who have recently tested negative under the listed routine testing regimen, will be able to visit CRs.
They will be able to access amenities and services such as food and beverage outlets, convenience stores, telecommunications stores, hairdressers, and remittance services. They will also be able to meet with their friends to carry out activities in the communal facilities of the RCs, with strict safe management measures.
Prior to this, migrant workers are allowed out of their bedrooms only to work and run essential errands.
Exit passes to visit the recreation centers
Eligible workers will be able to reserve an exit pass through the SGWorkPass mobile app to visit the RC assigned to their dorm, up to seven days in advance. Dorm operators and RCs will conduct checks to ensure workers have valid exit passes before allowing entry and exit.
To mitigate possible overcrowding in the RCs, workers will be staggered to visit the centers in different time slots. The number of exit passes issued for each time slot will be controlled through the application system.
In addition, MOM has worked with industry agencies and employers to stagger days off for workers in the construction, marine and process industries.
The ministry also reviewed and refined safe rest day measures in the midst of trials. For example, the time slots were extended from two to three hours based on feedback from industry associations. An additional schedule from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. will also be added to serve workers who work overtime on their days off.
30,000 workers participated in lawsuits
To date, around 30,000 migrant workers with more than 300 bedrooms, including a mix of purpose-built dormitories, factory-converted dormitories and temporary housing, have booked exit passes as part of the trials.
“When there is greater certainty that COVID-19 transmission has remained negligible, we will work with our stakeholders to review when dorm residents could be allowed to visit other popular social and recreational venues beyond the RC, ”said Tung Yui Fai, head of the MOM Assurance, Care and Engagement Group.
“We appreciate the cooperation of workers, employers, dormitory operators and NGOs at work towards the goal of allowing dormitory residents to enjoy their rest days safely.”
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