[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s ground transportation workers began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday (Jan 25), and employees of bus and train operators are among the first in line, the Ground Transportation Authority said. (LTA) in a press release.
The first batch of 12,000 workers will be hit at Changi Airport Terminal 4 and the former Hong Kah High School campus. The vaccines will be progressively offered to some 80,000 land transport workers in the coming months.
“This is part of Singapore’s national vaccination strategy to protect our workers and strengthen the resilience of our essential transportation services,” LTA said.
COVID-19 Vaccination Center for Transportation Workers at Former Hong Kah High School on January 25, 2021. (Photo: Calvin Oh)
READ: Integrated Shield Plans to Cover Hospitalization Due to COVID-19 Vaccine Complications
READ: Seniors in Ang Mo Kio, Tanjong Pagar to get vaccinated from January 27; National Senior Launch Begins Mid-February
Active drivers of private rental cars and taxis will also be vaccinated, and the hits have already been offered to drivers currently involved in supporting stay-at-home notification ground operations, LTA said.
Transportation workers who signed up for vaccination at the former Hong Kah High School on January 25, 2021. (Photo: Calvin Oh)
LTA Executive Director Ng Lang recognized the work of ground transportation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged them to get vaccinated.
“Our ground transportation workers have been working tirelessly since the onset of COVID-19 to keep our essential transportation services running. Vaccination will help keep our workers and their families safe and will strengthen the resilience of these services, ”he said.
Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs Chee Hong Tat and Member of Parliament for Radin Mas Melvin Yong meet with transport workers at the former Hong Kah High School during their COVID-19 vaccination. (Photo: Calvin Oh)
Speaking to reporters as vaccines were being started at the former Hong Kah High School campus, Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs Chee Hong Tat said that the existing security measures would remain in place, even after the workers take their blows.
“Vaccination does not mean that we remove all other security measures. All other security measures that are already in place, including wearing masks, maintaining personal hygiene, all of that will remain in place,” he said.
“Therefore, this vaccine should be seen as additional protection, for our front-line workers and for our transportation workers.
“So from that perspective, we will encourage a lot of them to step forward to get the vaccine for that extra protection.”
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
