GEIS-新闻详情

Queues continue on last day of collection for free DIY Covid-19 test kits

2021-07-21 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE - Queues for free rapid antigen self-test kits continued to form at several venues across Singapore on the last day of their collection on Wednesday (July 21).

The test kits are meant for individuals who had visited four markets and food centres in the last 14 days - Cheng San Market and Cooked Food Centre, Chong Boon Market and Food Centre, Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre and Haig Road Market and Food Centre.

They include residents living in the vicinity of these places.

Distribution of the test kits had started on Tuesday at 22 community centres and residents' committee (RC) centres. Locations of these venues can be found at this website.

The Straits Times understands that the centres will close at 6pm on Wednesday.

There was a queue of about 20 people at Geylang Serai RC centre at around 10am on Wednesday when ST checked the venue.

The process was quick, with individuals taking about five minutes to receive their test kits.

Resident Kolin Sim, 49, said that her neighbour had informed her about the collection.

Ms Sim, who is waiting to receive the second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, said she had not been to the Haig Road Market and Food Centre for several months. Covid-19 cases had recently been found there.

“But I still feel a little worried,” added the freelance music teacher, who said that she passes by the place on her way to the bus stop.

Another resident, who wished to be known as Mr Raju, said he visited the market two days ago but feels fine. The 76-year-old is fully vaccinated.

A resident who identified himself as Mr Guan said he was collecting the kits for "peace of mind". His wife visits the market every two weeks.

"We have to learn how to live with this," said the 48-year-old, who works in a managerial position but declined to elaborate on his occupation.

The process was quick, with individuals taking about five minutes to receive their test kits. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

There was also a 10-person queue at Geylang East Grove RC centre when ST arrived there at about 2.30pm.

Entrepreneur Bryan Se To, whose tech firm is located in the area, collected seven test kits on behalf of his family. The 26-year-old said his parents, who are waiting for their second jab, are reluctant to leave their home due to the recent increase in cases.

“For them to be able to (administer the test) at home safely – it really gives them a lot of assurance,” he said.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) had said on Monday that it was working with the People's Association to distribute the test kits as an added layer of ring-fencing to help identify cases and prevent further transmission.

The distribution of the test kits comes amid a recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Singapore, with a majority of the new cases detected at markets and food centres across the island.

MOH said that these areas were likely seeded by fishmongers and stallholders who visited the Jurong Fishery Port.

The cluster had 451 cases as at noon on Wednesday.

Additional reporting by Jason Quah More on this topic

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