[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – There will be additional coronavirus testing measures for foreign domestic workers and confinement nannies arriving in Singapore from Friday (February 5), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Wednesday.
These will apply to workers with a travel history in territories that the government deems high risk due to the prevalence of Covid-19 infection there.
Newly arrived work permit holders and S pass holders in the construction, marine and process industries will also be required to undergo a seven-day probationary regime after their stay-at-home notice (SHN). This additional requirement will apply to workers who have not yet completed their SHN before February 5, and to all newcomers from that day on.
Under this new measure, workers will spend these seven days in a designated facility and undergo additional swab testing when they begin work. This is after they have completed their 14-day SHN at SHN’s special facility upon arrival and have undergone a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
The additional seven-day probationary regime has already been required of workers staying in dormitories since January 6.
MOM said the multi-ministry working group made the decision to extend testing measures to further reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the workplace.
Starting Friday, foreign domestic workers and confinement nannies will have to take a serological test upon arrival, in addition to a PCR test that is mandatory from January 24.
This will distinguish workers who have recovered from a previous Covid-19 infection from active cases. Those who test positive for antibodies in the serological test can exit SHN, which will reduce costs for employers who have to pay for SHN, MOM said.
Foreign workers from the construction, marine and process sectors have already undergone PCR and serological testing upon arrival in Singapore since 18 January. Those with antibodies will be exempt from SHN, the seven-day testing regimen and routine tests listed for to minimize job interruptions and reduce costs for employers, MOM said.
[ad_2]
