14 transport staff infected
Ministry: no commuters affected as transient contact risks stay low
Fourteen public bus or train staff members have caught Covid19, but none has been found to have infected commuters, Singapore’s ministry of health (MoH) said.
the MoH noted: “there has not been any evidence to suggest Covid19 transmission arising from a commute on public transport, either involving public transport staff or commuters.
“In particular, MoH’s investigations have also not established any epidemiological links between the 14 Covid-19 community cases who are public bus and train staff, and the passengers they may have been in transient contact with.”
Public transport usage during morning peak hours has doubled since the partial lifting of circuit breaker measures on June 2.
usage is expected to increase further from yesterday, with more businesses allowed to reopen and small social gatherings permitted. the MoH said the risk of transmission from encounters involving transient contact such as on public transport is low.
A spokesman said: “the risk of getting infected with Covid-19 is highest in an individual who has had close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case in work, social or household settings.”
the ministry also urged commuters to reduce the risk by keeping masks on at all times and to refrain from talking during their commute.
“talking increases the expulsion of respiratory droplets, which are a form of transmission for Covid-19,” it said.
“As transmission of Covid-19 can also occur through surface contact, commuters should maintain good personal hygiene such as cleaning their hands regularly.”
It also urged commuters to use the tracetogether app, which can contribute to accurate and efficient identification of close contacts of Covid-19 cases, which in turn helps contain the disease.
Meanwhile, public transport operators will continue with stepped-up cleaning regimes as crowds return.
the Land transport Authority said: “Mrt stations and bus interchanges are cleaned at least once every two hours.
“Additional emphasis is placed on sanitising high human contact points like handrails, lift buttons, grab poles and seats.”