Cruise ships to be assessed for use as temporary accommodation for foreign workers
Singapore, 17 April 2020 – The government is studying the feasibility of using the SuperStar Gemini and the SuperStar Aquarius, two mid-sized cruise ships, as temporary accommodation for foreign workers who have recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative for the virus. This is to further manage COVID-19 transmissions and to allow health measures to be implemented more effectively in existing dormitories by reducing the number of workers there. If deemed feasible, the two cruise ships may be used to complement other interim facilities such as SAF military camps and vacant HDB blocks.
The SuperStar Gemini arrived on 17 April from Hong Kong, while SuperStar Aquarius may be activated for assessment at a later date. SuperStar Gemini is berthed at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, where the ship will undergo a thorough assessment to determine its suitability as a temporary accommodation for foreign workers. The assessment will be done with the support of the ship’s operator, Genting Cruise Lines, and will consider, among other areas, the ship’s ventilation systems, security protocols and infection control measures. It will only be used to house foreign workers if it passes the assessment.
Cruise ships are being considered as they have readily available rooms and en-suite toilets to minimise person-to-person contact. If deemed suitable, both ships may accommodate up to 2,000 foreign workers and will be activated only if there is a need to supplement other temporary accommodation facilities. If activated, every effort will be made to uphold the health, welfare and security of foreign workers on board the ship, where they will be expected to observe the highest standards of safe distancing at all times. They will also be allowed scheduled outdoor time on board and provided with SIM cards and Wifi broadband for wireless surfing.
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