Joint MOM-BCA-EDB-HPB press release - RRT compliance crucial for early detection to safeguard health of migrant workers

Friday, 18 September 2020

5,700 workers have yet to be scheduled for routine testing

As of 18 September, about 5,700 workers who are required to undergo Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) have yet to do so. The AccessCode Status for these workers will remain Red and they cannot return to work. Once these workers have undergone their RRT, their AccessCode will be restored to Green and they will be allowed to return to work. This is a significant reduction from the 13,000 workers from last week, and we would like to thank employers for their cooperation.

2        Since August 2020, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Economic Development Board, Building and Construction Authority, and Health Promotion Board (HPB) have been engaging employers and reminding them to schedule their workers for RRT. Agencies have also ensured that there were sufficient RRT slots for booking and assisted employers who faced difficulties scheduling workers.

3        Employers should quickly schedule appointment slots for their workers on HPB’s Swab Registration System (SRS) and ensure workers who have started RRT continue to undergo the tests regularly, to avoid further disruption to their business operations. Employers who are recalcitrant and do not schedule their workers for RRT will have their work pass privileges curtailed.  

4        Employers should approach their respective sector leads, should they have queries on the requirements:

5      Employers who face issues with using the SRS can write in to AskSRS@hpb.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).

LOW SUBSCRIPTION TO RRT A KEY FACTOR IN SPIKE IN NEW INFECTIONS AT A DORMITORY

6        The importance of RRT is demonstrated in one of the purpose-built dormitories. At end August, only 25% of residents at the dormitory who are required to undergo RRT were actually doing so. A total of 115 COVID-19 cases in the dormitory were subsequently picked up when the Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) group mounted a pre-emptive test of all the residents as a precautionary measure. The cases could have been detected and contained much earlier to prevent the spread of the infection had all the workers been scheduled for their RRT.

7        The ACE Group also found multiple lapses on the implementation of safe distancing measures and has notified the dormitory operator to correct these lapses. In addition, the dormitory operator will improve Safe Living measures through additional segregation infrastructure to limit intermixing between residents.

Download PDF version of Media Release [PDF, 16.91 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)