SingPost Says Audio Clip Has Also Been Debunked By Malaysia’s Health Ministry & Prime Minister’s Office
As SingPost emerged as a new Covid-19 cluster yesterday (27 Mar), some Singaporeans might be concerned about the nation’s postal agency.
49 More Covid-19 Cases On 27 Mar, New Cluster Emerges At SingPost Centre With 3 Infections
What’s making matters worse is that there has apparently been a fake audio clip making rounds on WhatsApp claiming that a postman who tested positive for Covid-19 had been spitting on letters he was handling.
Image from WhatsApp
While the clip makes no mention of the country & company the postman was from, some Singaporeans could have assumed that it was referring to Singapore and SingPost respectively.
On Saturday (28 Mar), Singapore Post (SingPost) took to Facebook to inform Singaporeans that the clip in question is – you guessed it – fake.
You can listen to the clip here, but as we said, it’s fake.
Person in fake recording urges listeners to keep letters aside for a day before opening
According to the false message circulating on WhatsApp, the 1.5-minute recording was allegedly made by Datuk Dr Christopher Lee at the Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor Malaysia.
Sungai Buloh Hospital
Source
In the clip, a man warned that a postman had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been spitting on letters.
He urged listeners to be vigilant of their posts and advised them to leave their letters separately in a bag for a day before opening them — presumably to allow the virus to die out.
He also claimed this is one of the ways people are unknowingly contracting the disease.
SingPost debunks fake audio recording
On Saturday (28 Mar) evening, SingPost posted a statement on Facebook addressing the recording.
In the post, SingPost clarified that the recording is “absolutely untrue in Singapore”.
The clip, which reportedly came from Malaysia has also been debunked by the nation’s Health Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office.
Datuk Dr Christopher Lee, the person allegedly behind the clip has also denied his involvement.
The recording has apparently circulated globally, and Singapore clearly wasn’t spared.
SingPost has implemented strict measures for staff
SingPost also reassured Singaporeans that they have put in place strict processes for all its postal workers.
In addition, all mail-processing staff are to put on gloves, earphones, and masks when they are working.
The facility is also installed with CCTVs to ensure employees comply with existing measures.
SingPost also said there is “no evidence” to date that suggests mail and postal items present risks to the public.
Not sure? Don’t share
If you received such a recording from your friends or family, share this article with them so they can refrain from spreading the fake recording.
Earlier today, we reported that there have been fake news circulating on social media and messaging apps claiming that a social distancing ambassador had issued a fine to a customer who sat on a marked seat.
Rumours Of Safe Distancing Ambassador Issuing Fine At Compass One Are Fake: Enterprise S’pore
Let this be yet another reminder not to spread unverified information, or in this case, audio recordings.
The Covid-19 outbreak is bad enough, you don’t want to make it worse by stoking unnecessary fear and panic. Not sure? Don’t share.
Featured image adapted from ConstructionPlusAsia.
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