The Outdoor Bus Terminals at Tekka & Yishun Have Been Converted Into Quick Test Centres for Small Business to do COVID-19 Tests

You know how everyone said 2020 was the year of TraceTogether? Fast forward one year later to 2021, and it’s the year of TestTogether.

And because you can never have too many tests in Singapore, schools won’t be the only place where you take tests now. In this pandemic day and age, the only test that really matters now is your COVID-19 test.

The government definitely seems to agree with that sentiment, considering how COVID-19 testing in Singapore has expanded yet again.

The Outdoor Bus Terminals at Tekka & Yishun Have Been Converted Into Quick Test Centres for Small Business to do COVID-19 Tests

Two outdoor bus terminals, one located in Tekka and the other in Yishun, have been converted into quick test centres (QTCs) and will begin operations today (21 Jun).

This move is aimed at small businesses that are unable to conduct their own supervised testing.

Starting from mid-July, it will be compulsory for those working in settings with unmasked patrons or those who come into prolonged contact with other individuals to get tested every fortnight.

These include workers at dine-in eateries, hairdressers, and staff at spas and gyms.

The tests at the QTCs are expected to be self-administered.

Other than the QTCs that are currently operational in Tekka and Yishun, more of such centres will be gradually opened.

When The Straits Times visited the sites yesterday (20 Jun), white sheets were used to enclose the testing areas and to shield those that are inside, from the prying eyes of the public. Rows of plastic chairs were spotted inside, though.

According to The Straits Times, testing at these QTCs will be done via appointment. The majority of the shops they spoke to in the nearby areas of the QTCs revealed that they had not been asked to send staff for testing as of yet.

Mixed Responses

When interviewed, some small businesses near the Tekka and Yishun QTCs responded positively, and have expressed interest in sending their staff for regular testing at the QTCs.

This is because QTCs can administer proper testing in lieu of small businesses, who may not have the proper resources or knowledge to do self-testing.

Mr Faizan Hanif, a director at hair salon Zulu Style in Race Course Road, wants to send his ten staff to the Tekka QTC, commenting that, “We are a small shop, so it’s difficult to carry out the testing ourselves.”

“We don’t have the knowledge to do it ourselves and we might not be able to apply the test properly,” said the owner of Royal Unisex Beauty Salon Mike Harikrishnan.

Mr Harikrishnan hopes that his employee will be able to familiarise himself with the testing process so that he can do the test himself in the future.

Some shops are also hoping that the move will reassure customers.

Mr Mohd Amin, the owner of Lam Spa, said, “We have regulars, but they don’t come very often as they are a bit scared of the virus.”

Mr Mohd has already been contacted about sending his staff, comprising of one administrative worker and two massage therapists, for tests at the QTC.

“If we do it ourselves, we have to buy our own test kits. We are also not experienced so it might not be accurate, whereas the Government has the expertise to carry out the tests.”

However, some businesses remain sceptical about the QTCs.

Ms Toh Yi, a hairdresser, said, “I feel it is troublesome. We don’t have face-to-face contact with our customers and they all wear masks the entire time.”

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