Covid-19 case detected at ASL Shipyard

A CONFIRMED imported case of Covid-19 who had travelled to Indonesia went to work at ASL Shipyard in Singapore between Nov 30 and Dec 2, although it has been determined that he had no close interactions with his colleagues.

In a filing to the Singapore Exchange on Monday, ASL Marine Holdings said that its employee, a 53-year-old Singaporean who had gone to Indonesia on a Business Travel Pass, was one of the 12 new imported cases announced on Dec 5.

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test he took upon his return to Singapore on Nov 28 turned up negative the following day. He developed symptoms only on Dec 2, and sought treatment at a general practitioner clinic. He was confirmed as having the virus on Dec 4. He is currently isolated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

Before his hospitalisation, he had gone to work at ASL Shipyard at 19 Pandan Road between Nov 30 and Dec 2.

ASL said that its management is working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH); it has since been determined that the confirmed case had no close interactions with his colleagues. The MOH has informed ASL to resume business operations and to monitor the health of all its employees.

Meanwhile, the shipyard has taken precautionary measures, such as isolating personnel who work out of the same corporate office and requiring them to take swab tests. So far, all of them have tested negative. ASL has also conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected areas and the entire building in line with MOH guidelines.

ASL said that its management is monitoring the situation and will take additional precautionary steps if needed.