Recovery Areas within Dormitories for Migrant Workers Infected with COVID-19

11 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower (a) where do migrant workers who are living in dormitories recover when they are infected with COVID-19; (b) what is the current capacity of such facilities or arrangements; and (c) whether there are plans to increase the capacity of such facilities or arrangements.

Dr Tan See Leng: MOM has put in place a Dormitory Recovery Programme that mirrors the COVID-19 recovery in the community. Fully vaccinated COVID-19 positive workers who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms recover in dedicated recovery facilities. Migrant workers who are at a higher risk of severe disease are conveyed to appropriate healthcare facilities such as the hospitals for medical care.

We had set up recovery facilities and specifically re-purposed them from dedicated blocks in certain dormitories and segregated from workers who are not infected. COVID-19 positive workers in these recovery facilities monitor their vitals thrice daily and have access to medical services at regional medical centres or 24/7 telemedicine consultations. Mobile clinical teams may also be deployed to further augment medical care, when required.

We have stood up sufficient recovery beds to accommodate COVID-19 positive migrant workers. We are monitoring the situation closely and are able to add to the capacity of recovery facilities as needed.