Recovered foreign workers may be housed in cruise ships
If found feasible, Genting Cruise Line ships could serve as temporary accommodation to reduce worker numbers in dorms
Singapore
CRUISE ships are being assessed for use as temporary housing for foreign workers who have recovered from Covid-19, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Friday.
Separately, as enforcement efforts continue, a hostel, a food outlet, and 11 service staff have separately been fined for breaching measures to curtail the outbreak.
The government is studying the feasibility of using the SuperStar Gemini and the SuperStar Aquarius, two mid-sized ships operated by Genting Cruise Lines.
If deemed feasible, the ships will be used as temporary accommodation for foreign workers who have recovered from the virus and tested negative for it.
"This is to further manage Covid-19 transmissions and to allow health measures to be implemented more effectively in existing dormitories by reducing the number of workers there," said STB. The ships would thus complement other interim facilities such as military camps and public housing blocks.
The SuperStar Gemini arrived at Singapore from Hong Kong on April 17, and is berthed at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, where it will undergo a thorough assessment to determine its suitability as temporary accommodation.
The assessment will be done with the support of operator Genting Cruise Lines, and will consider the ship's ventilation systems, security protocols, and infection control measures, among other things. The SuperStar Aquarius "may be activated for assessment at a later date", STB said.
Cruise ships are being considered as they have readily available rooms and en-suite toilets to minimise person-to-person contact. If deemed suitable, the two ships may house up to 2,000 foreign workers in total.
The ships "will be activated only if there is a need to supplement other temporary accommodation facilities", said STB.
If activated, the foreign workers on board will have to observe safe distancing. They will be allowed scheduled outdoor time on board, and be provided with SIM cards and Wi-fi broadband for wireless surfing.
Separately, STB gave an update on enforcement efforts during this circuit- breaker period. Gap Year Hostel at 322 Lavender Street has been issued a composition fine of S$2,000 for failing to keep a record of the individuals leaving the hostel premises each day, as discovered in enforcement checks on April 15.
Hostels are required to keep such records under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act passed in Parliament on April 7. STB said it has been conducting regular checks on hostels and hotels since March and will continue to step up enforcement efforts to ensure compliance.
The Lot One Shoppers' Mall outlet of nasi lemak chain Crave was also issued a fine of S$1,000 on April 14 for failing to observe elevated safe distancing measures. It had allowed customers and delivery personnel to crowd together without a metre's space between each other.
"Businesses that persistently fail to comply with the measures face higher fines and may be charged in court," said STB.
After checks by STB and Enterprise Singapore from April 13 to 16, 13 businesses providing non-essential services were instructed to cease operations, including tuition agencies, health food retailers, wellness and beauty product shops, and an automotive parts retailer.
And after STB checks on April 16, 11 shop staff were fined S$300 each for failing to wear masks. These were employees of food and beverages businesses, hair salons, and grocery stores.
