SINGAPORE — Members of the public who visited Jem or Westgate malls in Jurong East from May 10 to 14 are "strongly" encouraged to take a Covid-19 swab test after people who had the coronavirus and were infectious had visited these two places.

The swab test is free and is intended to “pre-emptively mitigate any potential risk of wider, undetected community transmission”, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday (May 18).

Close contacts of the confirmed cases who are at higher risk of infection have already been identified through contact tracing, it added.

MOH had earlier said on its website that visitors to JEM or Westgate shopping malls from May 1 to May 14 should take a swab test. The dates were revised to May 10 to May 14 in MOH's daily update on COVID-19 cases.

SMSes will be progressively sent out to individuals identified through their SafeEntry records to inform them of the free testing.

As of Monday, Westgate was listed twice on MOH's list of locations visited by Covid-19 cases during their infectious period. The stores in Westgate that were visited by cases are Kiddy Palace, which sells children apparel and toys, as well as Star Arts, which sells art and craft supplies.

Jem was listed seven times, including Don Don Donki mart, FairPrice Extra supermarket and Toast Box cafe.

From May 19 to June 1, those who want to take the swab test may call or book an appointment at Fullerton Health Testing Centre located at Szechuan Court, Raffles City Shopping Centre.

They may also walk in to Raffles Hospital at 585 North Bridge Road or Raffles Medical Clinic at Shaw Centre Orchard.

Members of the public may also book an appointment at these designated regional screening centres:

• Jurong Club House, 11 Jurong Town Hall Road

• Former Da Qiao Primary School, 8 Ang Mo Kio Street 54

• Former Shuqun Secondary School, 450 Jurong East Street 21

• Former Coral Primary School, 20 Pasir Ris Street 51

• Former Bishan Park Secondary School, 2 Sin Ming Walk

People may also call in advance to book an appointment at any of the Swab and Send Home Public Health Preparedness Clinics islandwide. Swabbing for children is also available at these clinics, but not at the regional screening centres, MOH added.

Only individuals who have no symptoms will be accepted at the regional screening centres and other testing venues. Those who are feeling ill should see a doctor or visit a Swab and Send Home Public Health Preparedness Clinic.

In the event that regional screening centres are crowded, individuals may be redirected to another testing venue.

Those who are taking the swab test should take along their photo identification and present the SMS that they have received. They may also declare the date that they last visited Jem or Westgate.

On Monday, MOH had announced similar measures for those who have visited White Sands mall in Pasir Ris from May 2 to 11.

And last week, the ministry said that those who have visited Changi Airport Terminal 3 from May 3 onwards will be offered free Covid-19 testing, due to a growing cluster linked to a cleaner who was working there. CNA

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