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SINGAPORE: COVID-19 surveillance tests will be extended to cover merchants, store owners, those working in the food and beverage industry and food delivery workers operating in the Chinatown area in the lead up to the Year. New Chinese.
The tests, which will be paid for by the government, will be carried out between February 8 and 9, the Health Ministry (MINSA) said in a press release on Friday (January 22).
“While there has been no evidence that these community groups are at increased risk of infection, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) will offer them tests, as they are expected to interact more frequently with other members of the public during this time,” said MOH .
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The Health Ministry said authorities will progressively communicate with these identified groups in more detail.
“We strongly encourage everyone from identified community groups to come forward for testing,” added the Health Ministry.
Surveillance tests were previously offered to workers at key delivery centers, logistics delivery companies, and merchants at Tekka Center, among others.
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EXTENSION OF GRANTS FOR COVID-19 TESTING
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health announced that the Government will grant subsidies for the listed routine tests (RRT) of workers in sectors that have a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 or “with a greater negative impact if they had a COVID- 19. infection in their midst “.
These include workers living in dormitories, those working in the construction, maritime and process, aviation and maritime industries.
The subsidies were supposed to last until March 31, but will now run until September 30 “to support their safe operations,” the health ministry said.
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The extension of the subsidies comes at a time when “COVID-19 continues to pose significant risks to public health in these sectors,” added the Ministry of Health.
“The Government will continue to review its subsidies for COVID-19 RRT to ensure they support our public health efforts while sharing costs equitably among taxpayers, employers and individuals.”
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