Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will prioritise testing or residents and staff in all homes serving the elderly, in a joint press release announced on Saturday, May 2.
Testing for residents and staff will be prioritised
The ministries said homes serve "highly vulnerable and frail seniors, who are at higher risk of developing serious health complications if infected with Covid-19".
These places include nursing homes, welfare homes, sheltered homes and adult disability homes.
The prioritising of testing for residents and staff in all homes will ensure that any Covid-19 infections are detected "as early as possible for treatment, as well as to limit transmission", the authorities said.
MOH started to conduct testing from April 29, and aims to complete the tests by next week, while MSF started the tests from April 30 and will complete them by May 2.
Prior to these testings, the government has been "actively testing symptomatic residents and staff" who developed Acute Respiratory Infection or fever for Covid-19.
The ministries are providing full funding support for the costs of all tests, and all follow-up treatment that is required.
Lodging to be provided for staff who interact with residents of homes
For staff who interact with residents of homes, the ministries are working with the homes to facilitate lodging for them at designated accommodation facilities on-site or at hotels in order to "reduce their exposure to the community during the circuit breaker period".
The staff will stay at hotels if the home they work at is unable to house them on-site.
The ministries will provide funding for the staff who have to move into hotels.
The funding includes the accommodation, meals provided by the homes, dedicated transport and daily necessities for the staff.
MOH will also provide support for nursing homes to enhance onsite accommodation spaces to improve safe distancing, where necessary.
In addition, a $500 allowance will be provided to affected staff to assist them with the transition for the current measures.
MOH and MSF said they understand that the move could cause inconvenience to the affected staff, and that they appreciate the sacrifices and efforts from the staff in keeping Singapore's elderly safe.
Lam Pin Min thanks all nursing home staff
Senior Minister of State in MOH and the Ministry of Transport Lam Pin Min took to Facebook in a Saturday post to thank "all nursing home staff and senior management" for their dedication in "answering the call of duty and doing [their] utmost in ensuring that the homes remain a safe place for everyone".
He added that while the current precautionary measures in place at nursing homes have been "effective", we cannot be complacent, which is why more has to be done to protect the seniors and nursing home staff.
Top image via NTUC Health/YouTube