People Who Have Been to Jem or Westgate From 10 to 14 May to be Offered Free COVID-19 Tests

In the past, missed calls from your mother and failing exam grades was what gave every Singaporean kid a heart attack.

But in 2020 and 2021, heck, who cares about stress from work and school and the resultant declining mental health?

The only thing that scares us is the angry red exposure alerts on the TraceTogether app.

Uh oh.

Visitors Of Jem & Westgate Encouraged To Be Swabbed

First it was the east, now it’s the west. We already know this, but COVID-19 sure loves to travel as much as any Singaporean (though it’s only from one side of the island to the other).

Westies, be sure to check whether you visited Jem or Westgate between 10 May and 14 May, as you might be up for a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

More specifically, CNA notes that the shops visited by the infected individuals are:

• Kiddy Palace in Westgate
• Star Arts in Westgate
• DonDonDonki in Jem
• Fairprice Extra in Jem
• Toastbox in Jem

According to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) website, they are offering fully funded PCR tests to the individuals who have visited either mall during the patients’ infectious period.

Although the ministry has identified the individuals’ close contacts, they would like to pre-emptively mitigate any potential risk of wider, undetected community transmission.

They will also be progressively sending out SMSes to members of the public, identified through their SafeEntry records.

In addition, those who were not contacted but have proof (via SafeEntry records) of being at Jem or Westgate can book an appointment to be tested at the Fullerton Health Testing Centre or a designated Regional Screening Centre (RSC), or walk-in to Raffles Hospital or Raffles Medical at Shaw Centre Orchard.

Furthermore, only asymptomatic individuals would be able to get tested at an RSC. For individuals who are feeling ill (e.g. have a cough, fever, runny nose or loss of smell), MOH recommends that they visit their doctor or a “Swab and Send Home” Public Health Preparedness Clinic (SASH PHPC).

What to Do If You’re Contacted by MOH

If you have received an SMS from MOH and are eligible for the free swab test, here’s what to take note of.

From 19 May 2021 to 1 June 2021, you should call 6333 3636 to book an appointment at Fullerton Health Testing Centre located at Szechuan Court in Raffles City Shopping Centre, Alternatively, you can book one online.

You’ll also be able to walk in to either Raffles Hospital or Raffles Medical at Shaw Centre Orchard for the PCR test.

People can also call in advance to book an appointment at any of the SASH PHPCs island-wide.

If you would like to opt to take the swab test at an RSC instead, here are the available 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

Be sure to book your appointment online, here! Do note that these centres are only open from 9:00am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. In addition, they will not be able to conduct swab tests for children.

Those with children 12 years and under should head to Fullerton Health Testing Centre, Raffles Hospital (above 6 years old) or Raffles Medical Centre (above 6 years old). They can also be swabbed at selected SASH PHPCs, which are listed under “SASH for children” after entering a search.

Last but not the least, do remember to bring along your photo identification and present the SMS you’ve received or any other records that shows proof of your visit to Jem or Westgate.

Feature Image: Google Maps