Fast and easy testing can help assure customers, but firms worry about mounting costs

FAST and easy testing every fortnight for workers who may have prolonged contact with unmasked individuals could go some way in increasing consumer confidence, firms told The Business Times, but many are also concerned about mounting costs.

The testing requirement will apply to staff working in dine-in eateries, gyms where clients are unmasked and personal care services such as hair and make-up studios, spas, saunas and massage establishments.

Personal care services have been allowed to resume operations since Monday, while gyms are due to reopen on June 21.

The testing requirement, using antigen rapid tests (ART), will be rolled out progressively from next week before becoming mandatory from mid-July.

Here is what industry players have to say:

"We see it as necessary, in line with what the government is trying to do because in the new strategy to fight the virus, it's a combination of aggressive testing, contact tracing as well as vaccinations. The biggest concern for us is the cost ... Every additional cent is an add-on cost, and we feel it even more especially during this time because our revenues are heavily impacted. If our revenues are back to normal and what they were, then if you have a slight incremental cost, sometimes you can take this in your stride."

- Sean Tan, director of True Group and president of the Singapore Fitness Alliance

"It's an important step, until the vaccine is rolled out completely. We take this as positive news - anything that we can reassure our clients and anyone in the community that we have a safe place for people to work out in. Honestly, we were quite glad that the fitness space is being considered to pilot this. It's a strong sign that we're considered as part of this reopening plan."

- Darren Tay, head of marketing at Ritual

"As employers, we'll want to make sure that this is carried out properly but cost will be a concern for many SMEs, especially as there is a decline in footfalls at the malls. We're also facing labour shortage and now with the higher costs, it's really a storm we're caught up in. We hope the government will support the SMEs who are trying to keep the employees. If the testing is going to be a regular event, we hope for some subsidies because the costs can really add up if you have more staff. It can go up to hundreds and thousands a month."

- Samuel Pei, director of K Cuts

Read more:

• Two can dine together at F&B outlets from June 21; 5-person cap targeted for mid-July
• Indoor mask-off fitness activities may resume in groups of 2 or classes of 30
• Fast and easy Covid-19 testing every 14 days for workers in 'higher-risk' settings: MOH