4 ActiveSG Sport Halls To House Healthy Migrant Workers From 17 Apr Onwards
It seems that dormitories are Covid-19 hotspots, as evident in Thursday’s (16 Apr) record jump in confirmed cases. Of the 728 new cases, 654 involved Work Permit holders living in dormitories.
Since then, many dormitories have been shut and gazetted as isolation areas to contain the spread of the coronavirus. According to The Straits Times, the government earlier mentioned that migrant workers in essential services would be housed separately.
It seems that for now, these workers will be housed in sporting facilities.
Pasir Ris Sports and Recreation Centre
Source
4 ActiveSG sport halls will open to accommodate them from Friday (17 Apr) onwards, announced SportSG in a press release on the same day.
ActiveSG sport halls re-open to provide alternative housing
Ever since ‘Circuit Breaker’ measures kicked in on 7 Apr, all sports and recreation facilities have closed.
However, to cope with the “urgent need to provide alternative living areas for workers who provide essential services”, SportSG has opened 4 ActiveSG sport halls to accommodate those without Covid-19 symptoms.
Clementi Sport Hall
Source
The sport halls that have been mobilised are at Pasir Ris, Jurong West, Clementi and Hougang.
These workers will be progressively housed at Sport Centres in the coming days.
Strict protocols in place at sport halls
Strict protocols will be established at these sites to ensure the health and safety of those moving to the facilities.
SportsSG pledged,
Together with our fellow government agencies, we will ensure the safety of the [workers], our staff, and residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Taking good care of our migrant workers
Although they are not Singaporean citizens, it’s heartening to see the government making ample preparations to accommodate migrant workers.
This is the least we can do to thank them for sticking with us in this pandemic, and continue to help operate our essential services.
Our gratitude goes out to all foreign workers who are toughing it out with us. Together, we can overcome this pandemic.
Featured image adapted from ActiveSG and ActiveSG.
