Novel coronavirus: DBS evacuates 300 staff from MBFC Tower 3 after confirmed case

SINGAPORE — DBS bank has evacuated 300 staff members from its offices on the 43rd floor at Tower 3 of Marina Bay Financial Centre, after an employee working on that level was confirmed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus. 

In an internal memo seen by TODAY, employees were told that the case was confirmed on Wednesday (Feb 12).

“This is indeed unfortunate and we will be providing our colleague and his family every support and guidance during this period,” the memo read.

As a precautionary measure, all 300 staff members from Level 43 have been evacuated and will work from home “for the time being”, it added.

DBS is now conducting close-contact tracing to ensure that employees who had had close contact with the infected worker are informed.

The bank also said that it has conducted deep cleaning of the office premises, including of common areas such as the lift lobbies and toilets.

In a statement released around 3pm on Wednesday, it said that its employee was tested on Feb 11 and the bank was informed of the confirmation on the morning of Feb 12. 

From next week, all DBS employees will receive a pack which will include masks, thermometers, hand sanitiser and vitamin C, the statement said. It has also activated business continuity plans such that employees work from home or have split work sites. 

There will be webinars by medical health professionals to update staff members on the latest developments of the virus outbreak and answer any medical-related concerns they have.  

"The health and well-being of our staff are a top priority for us," DBS said.