Enhanced Cleanliness and Sanitation Measures at Dormitories Gazetted as Isolation Areas

1. The cleanliness and sanitation conditions at the four dormitories gazetted as isolation areas, S11 Dormitory @ Punggol, Westlite Toh Guan Dormitory, Toh Guan Dormitory and Sungei Tengah Lodge, have vastly improved as enhanced measures and cleaning routines are put in place.  The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be leveraging the experiences for the fifth gazetted isolation area, Tampines Dormitory.
   
   CLEANING ROUTINES
   
   
2. During the circuit breaker period from 7 April to 4 May 2020, foreign workers residing at the dormitories do not go to work and would spend the entire day in the dormitories. Enhanced waste management and sanitation regimes have thus been put in place to upkeep the hygiene and cleanliness of the premises.
3. The frequency of refuse collection and removal from the premises for disposal have been increased from once a day to three to five times daily, depending on the premises. The disinfection and cleaning of the common areas and washroom facilities are also carried out on an average of three times per day. The enhanced cleaning measures will be implemented at the recently gazetted isolation area, Tampines Dormitory.
   
   WASTE MANAGEMENT AND SANITATION REGIMES
   
   
4. Dormitory operators have been working closely with vendors and in-house cleaners to step up cleanliness and sanitation in the dormitories. Measures include: 
   • Increased rounds of cleaning in the dormitories up to five times daily
   • Roping in more manpower to ensure places which are frequented such as toilets, corridors are cleaned regularly 
   • Engaging external vendors to clear and handle high volume of garbage 
   • Increased frequency of disinfecting with mist spray from two times daily to four times daily
5. MOM officers have been working round the clock at the dormitories gazetted as isolation areas to ensure the foreign workers’ well-being is taken care of and the living conditions are of the highest standards. We will continue to act on the feedback provided by dormitory residents on possible areas of improvements.