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Links to KTV cluster, lax mask wearing behind Covid-19 spread at Jurong Fishery Port: Workers

2021-07-20 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE - Links to a large cluster at KTV lounges and lack of attention paid to mask wearing turned Singapore's main fishery port into a hotbed of Covid-19 infection, those who work there said.

It is understood that a KTV hostess who recently tested positive for the virus had worked at the port. Some workers there are also patrons of lounges.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed on Monday (July 19) that the KTV and Jurong Fishery Port clusters are linked and studies are ongoing to establish their relationship.

The port, which had a total of 169 Covid-19 cases as at Monday noon, was announced as a cluster last Friday, along with Hong Lim Market and Food Centre.

Spread over 5.1ha - about the size of 12 football fields - with more than 100 merchants and 3,000 customers daily, the larger of Singapore's two fishery ports is closed for two weeks until July 31 so it can be deep cleaned, and to halt the transmission of Covid-19.

Fishmongers and workers there say lax mask-wearing habits could have contributed to the rapid spread of the virus.

A worker in his 30s who wanted to be known only as Mr Tan said it can be difficult to breathe with a mask on when carrying large barrels of fish.

"A barrel of fish weighs between 100kg and 120kg and we hand-carry it to our stalls from the lorries. It's hard labour.

"With sweat pouring down our faces, we sometimes take off our masks for a short period to catch our breaths. When we're not careful and talk to one other, that's how the virus spreads," he said in Mandarin.

Mr Tan added that he knew five workers who had tested positive for Covid-19, and he had interacted with some of them just days ago. His test results came back negative on Sunday.

While information on the vaccination rate of the port workers was not immediately available, workers told The Straits Times that the majority of them have been vaccinated.

Fishmongers from all markets are being tested for Covid-19 at designated testing centres after the cluster emerged. They are required to self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.

Alan (not his real name), a fishmonger in his 50s who goes to the Jurong port daily for his seafood supply, said he often sees people taking smoke breaks without masks on and chatting in groups of two to three.

"We are often at the port for hours to wait for fish to arrive by boat from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. While waiting, people tend to let their guard down and socialise," he said.