Covid-19: People working in logistics, delivery centres to be tested; travellers from Finland, Turkey subjected to stricter control

• Covid-19 testing will be offered to people working in key delivery centres and logistics delivery companies in the coming weeks
• The progressive roll-out of testing operations is to get a better picture of population prevalence to the coronavirus
• Singapore will also be tightening its border control measures for travellers arriving from Finland and Turkey 
   

SINGAPORE — The Government will be offering Covid-19 testing to people working in key delivery centres such as the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre, as well as key logistics delivery companies in the coming weeks.

In a media statement on Thursday (Nov 26), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the costs of these tests will be fully borne by the Government.

“We strongly encourage individuals in these identified community groups to come forward and utilise the testing services offered.”

The progressive roll-out of the testing operations is to check the prevalence of the coronavirus in the community.

It is also to facilitate the early containment of “cryptic cases in the community, especially as we continue to reopen our economy and allow more activities to resume”, MOH said.

The testing operations had earlier started with identified community groups such as stallholders, food delivery personnel and cashiers across Singapore.

So far, more than 5,000 people have been tested in Marine Parade, Ang Mo Kio and Taman Jurong since September.

All of them have tested negative for the coronavirus.

“The results of the community testing operations indicate very low prevalence rates in the community, and is an indicator that our safe management measures are helping to keep our community safe,” MOH said.

This is why the government agencies will be reaching out to other identified community groups to offer Covid-19 testing on a one-time basis, it added.

Earlier on Wednesday, MOH said that it has offered the testing to stallholders in and around Tekka Centre.

TRAVELLERS FROM FINLAND AND TURKEY

With the recent increase in the number of Covid-19 cases reported in Finland and Turkey, Singapore will be tightening its border control measures for travellers arriving from these two countries from Saturday onwards.

These travellers will have to serve their 14-day stay-home notices at dedicated facilities, even if they have obtained approval to opt out earlier.

MOH said that the new measures will take effect from Saturday at 11.59pm.

The latest development is revised from the ministry’s earlier announcement in late October, which allowed travellers from the two countries to serve their notices at a “suitable place of residence”.

Separately, MOH said that travellers from Fiji, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand are still allowed to apply to opt out of staying at dedicated facilities and serve their notices at their places of residence.

This is only if they fulfil the following criteria:

• They have travelled to no other country or region than the above-mentioned countries — as well as Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan and Vietnam — in the last consecutive 14 days before entering Singapore

• They are living alone or with household members who are serving their notices with the same travel history and duration

MOH said that the Covid-19 tests will then be carried out before the end of the stay-home notices.

As the global coronavirus situation evolves, the ministry will continue to adjust Singapore’s border control measures to manage the risk of importation and transmission to the community.

Travellers are advised to check the SafeTravel website for the most updated border measures before making their journey here.