Quick Test Centres Rolled Out Across Singapore for Self-Administered COVID-19 Swab Tests

Having a tiny stick up your nostril and deep into the recesses of your nose doesn’t sound like a fun voluntary activity for anyone, especially in years past.

Unless you’re a curious child, or you want to know what it’s like for your nose to be dug thoroughly, or simply like to torture yourself.

Yet, it’s already become the new norm for some Singaporeans who work in certain professions, as the Ministry of Health (MOH) begins stepping up COVID-19 safety measures.

Quick Self-Administered Test Centres Set Up 

On 10 June, the MOH had announced the need for all staff in high-risk situations to undergo more rapid testing for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure before we open up more.

Staff working in places where customers are unmasked, like dine-in F&B eateries, hawker centres, and facial spas, will be required to take a fast and easy test (FET) every two weeks from 15 July.

They can do so either with the assistance of a trained staff member in their establishment or at any of the five quick test centres, which began operations on 21 June.

Additionally, DIY COVID-19 test kits have also been made available for purchase at pharmacies like Watsons.

Similar but different to getting a vaccine, one will self-administer the FET tests, including antigen rapid tests, on themselves while under supervision at the centres.

It can’t be helped if you’re the butterfingers kind, but at least the staff will be around.

These centres were originally set up in order to support small businesses that may not have enough resources to organise regular supervised swab tests by themselves.

Currently, there are centres at Yishun bus interchange, Bishan Sports Hall, Jurong West Sports Centre, Pasir Ris Sports Hall and in Tekka Lane.

Efficient And Easy Process

According to many who were at the centres, the process was “easy and efficient,” with tests completed within 20 minutes.

Just like how you’d receive an SMS to register for the vaccine, you get one for the self-administered quick tests two weeks before too.

They’ll also send you another SMS to remind you of what time to come, which will be between the centre’s opening hours of 10am to 5pm.

Some find the quick test centres more convenient and efficient, like hawker Ms Nurfizah Atamo, who was at the Bishan centre at 10:15am right after it opened.

She thought that it was easier to get tested at the centre as she needed to set up her stall early and would not have the time to queue up to buy a test kit at pharmacies, which may also not be open at that hour.

“For stall owners like us, people come to our stalls every day and could possibly spread the virus to us, so there is the need to get tested,” she added.

Boon Lay Market hawker Mdm Chia echoed the same sentiment as she arrived at the Jurong West centre, saying: “I came here because I don’t know how to use the self-administered test kit myself. I feel more confident with people guiding me.”

Yet, some thought about it in a more economical way.

Since one would have to pay about S$10 to S$13 for a DIY swab test kit at pharmacies, and getting one done at the quick centres are free, the choice may be obvious to some.

Mr Shaum Kin Peng, a hawker at Tekka Market, said that it would be better if the Government were to subsidise the DIY test kits.

“I don’t think most Singaporeans, including me, want to pay if we can get it for free instead,” he reasoned.

Featured Image: aslysun / Shutterstock.com