Over 3,000 from shelters, homes and centres will be tested

ABOUT 3,300 staff, residents and clients of various homes, shelters and centres will be tested for Covid-19 by tomorrow, Social and Family Development minister Desmond Lee announced.

these include people from voluntary children’s homes, crisis shelters and children’s disability homes.

Staff engaged in community services for people with disabilities, such as sheltered workshops, day activity centres and special student care centres, are also being tested.

Lee said in a Facebook post yesterday that the tests were being done as part of expanded community testing efforts during phase two of Singapore’s reopening after the circuit breaker.

the health ministry had previously announced that Singapore’s testing capacity would be ramped up as the economy reopens and more people are out and about.

As part of expanded testing, more people will be tested for Covid-19, including those 13 and above who are diagnosed with acute respiratory infection and frontliners interacting with travellers.

More regional screening centres are being set up to meet the anticipated increase in the number of people being tested.

Lee also announced that the social and family development ministry would conduct fortnightly tests on all staff and residents of facilities serving seniors from July onwards to monitor their health.

the tests will complement other measures in place to check the spread of the disease.