S’pore Pre-School Staff Must Take Covid-19 Swab Test Before Returning To Work

Compulsory Covid-19 Swab Test For All Pre-School Staff Starts 15 May At 4 Centres

Most schools are set to resume soon after the earlier break, and parents are surely worried, especially with ‘Circuit Breaker’ likely to end on 1 Jun.

Thankfully for those with kids in pre-school, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is already taking precautions, like arranging a Covid-19 swab test for staff.

This move is in light of pre-schools reopening on 2 Jun, according to a report by The Straits Times (ST).

A Facebook user, presumably a staff at a pre-school, uploaded a screenshot of what appears to be a circular notifying them of the tests.

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Covid-19 swab test for pre-school staff starts tomorrow

The swab test will be compulsory for all staff, including cleaners and cooks. Young students won’t have to take it, as past cases have shown that they only get infected from adults.

Tests will be carried out by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) between 15 to 26 May at 4 dedicated centres.

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ST reports that shuttle buses will be available to transport staff to the centres from the following MRT stations:

• Tampines West
• Khatib
• Dover
• Woodlands

Due to the tight schedule and the upcoming Hari Raya holiday, staff will have to adhere strictly to the time slots given.

Repeat tests likely for those who test positive

Since the tests will be done in batches, ECDA is preparing for several positive test results.

Instead of a simple one-time test, staff who test positive the first time may have to return for a second individual testing.

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The government is bearing all costs of the tests, so staff need not worry.

Higher-risk staff and children or those returning from Stay Home Notice (SHN) may also have to take the test.

Tight measures to ensure everyone’s safety

These new measures are in line with the existing ones ECDA has enforced across all pre-schools to ensure everyone’s safety.

Though the sudden requirement may pose an inconvenience to many, we should understand that it’s for the greater good.

Let’s hope that ECDA’s strict precautions will prove helpful, and curb any risks of infection.

Featured image adapted from Facebook.