Enterprise Singapore advises firms to test employees regularly for Covid-19

COMPANIES whose employees are not currently being tested regularly for Covid-19 should consider implementing their own regular testing using alternative tests such as antigen rapid tests, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) said on Monday.

In an updated guidance note on safe-management measures for companies, the statutory board said this would apply especially to employees working in higher-risk settings, where there is a high density of unmasked people in close proximity for long periods of time.

Currently, only workers in certain sectors including construction, marine offshore and process, maritime and manufacturing are required to undergo Rostered Routine Testing (RRT), with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests administered to them about every two weeks.

Companies are also advised to proactively manage potential contacts of Covid-19 cases at the workplace, by asking staff who were in close contact with employees or visitors who tested positive to self-isolate while contact tracing is carried out.

If three or more cases that are epidemiologically linked are found at the workplace, all high-risk employees are to be tested before operations resume. These high-risk employees are recommended to be placed on a seven-day RRT after reopening.

Other recommended measures include encouraging workers to get vaccinated as soon as possible, enforcing the wearing of masks with good filtration capability, avoiding workplace gatherings and ventilating the workplace well.

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ESG advised companies to consider purchasing portable air cleaners with high-efficiency air filters, such as HEPA filters. Detailed technical recommendations for premises according to the type of ventilation system used are available on the Building and Construction Authority's website.