FAQs on rostered routine testing

Rostered routine testing (RRT) applies to the following groups of workers who are at higher risk:

• All workers from the construction, marine and process sectors (unless working in company office premises) and personnel who go into the work sites.
• All workers from the manufacturing and services sectors residing in the following sites:
  • Purpose-built dormitories
  • Factory-converted dormitories
  • Decant sites
  • Temporary Living Quarters / Temporary Occupational Licence Quarters / Construction Temporary Quarters

It does not apply to recently recovered workers (less than 180 days from date of symptoms onset or detection of infection).

Workers should not go for the RRT swab if they are on Home Quarantine Order (HQO), Stay-Home Notice (SHN) or 5-day Medical Leave. Employers should schedule these workers for RRT only after they complete their quarantine, SHN or medical leave.

With effect from 8 October 2020, Special Pass holders who are previous Work Permit holders will also be required to be swabbed under RRT.

Migrant workers who are required to go through RRT will be automatically populated in the Swab Registration System (SRS) for employers to schedule their test appointment.

For Singaporeans / PRs, employers will have to add in the workers’ details in SRS.

Employers should check if the workers fulfil the eligibility criteria for swabs if they are not displayed or contact the respective sector agencies for assistance.

Employers should not send workers who are not required to be tested for testing.

For FAQs on sector-specific swabbing requirements:

• FAQs for construction sector
• FAQs for marine & offshore and process construction & maintenance sectors

Special Pass holders required to be swabbed will be informed of their RRT appointment date via SMS or through their employer (if applicable) 3 days before the scheduled date.

However, if the Special Pass holder has a pre-departure swab test within 3 days from the scheduled RRT, they will need to bring along the pre-departure swab appointment letter or note for verification in order to extend the special pass without the RRT swab.

Employers can contact their respective sector leads to create a Swab Registration System (SRS) account first, and arrange for their workers’ RRT through the SRS.

You can then log in to the SRS website using your account.

To get help, download:

• SRS briefing slides
• SRS user guide

You should book the appointment for the swab test as well as arrange for transport for workers to be sent to the test sites.

Special pass holders required to be swabbed will be scheduled by MOM. No action is required by the employer.

Tests will be conducted at various Regional Screening Centres such as the Old Police Academy and The Float @ Marina Bay. Tests will also be conducted in PBDs with larger numbers of workers and are already taking place in locations such as PPT Lodge 1B, Tampines Dormitory and Sungei Tengah Lodge.

Employers will be able to view the available locations in the SRS when booking the RRT appointments for their workers.

For workers with existing symptoms or conditions that make them unsuited for a swab test, they will be issued with a referral letter for swabs at Farrer Park Hospital.

Companies should not approach laboratories / hospitals to set up a private arrangement for these tests.

Special pass holders will be swabbed at the swab station at MOM Services Centre.

Exemptions are not allowed.

Workers required to undergo RRT should not miss their swab tests without valid reason.

Employers should re-schedule the appointments of their workers in advance if they are not able to attend their original RRT appointments.

Workers’ AccessCode status will be turned to red if they fail to undergo their RRT. To turn the AccessCode status green again, the worker will need to undergo their swab test.

Workers who are on medical leave for fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat should not go for their RRT appointment. Workers who are on medical leave for other reasons can and should go for the swab test.

Special Pass holders should contact the dormitory operator or their case officer (if any) to escalate their circumstances to MOM immediately.

Employers should not deduct the salaries of workers who have to attend the rostered routine testing (RRT).

The RRT is a required condition to resume operations, and employers have the responsibility to ensure that your workers are scheduled and attend the routine test. For those staying in selected PBDs, employers can choose to schedule your workers for in-dorm RRT.

Employers should discuss and mutually agree with your workers on scheduling the RRT. For example, you can consider giving your workers time-off to complete the RRT or check whether your workers agree to schedule the RRT on their non-working day.

You should discuss and mutually agree with your employer on the schedule for your RRT, taking into consideration business needs.

Salary is not payable if the RRT is scheduled outside your working hours.