To reduce the risk of further local transmission of Covid-19, the Jurong-Clementi Town Council (JRTC) has stepped up enhanced cleaning measures at hawker centres in conjunction with NEA guidelines. The Town Council’s conservancy workers at hawker centres are frequently disinfecting common spaces.
To further strengthen the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak, the JRTC has also rolled out new cleaning schedules for Housing & Development Board (HDB) common areas, including lifts and other high-touch surfaces. These will see cleaning frequency increased to thrice a day with the following sessions: 7am to 10am, 2pm to 4pm, and 7pm to 10pm.
Meanwhile, a self-disinfecting coating, called SDST, which inactivates viruses and kills bacteria and fungi, has been used. With a long-lasting effect of three months, this high-performing disinfectant has been applied to buttons in all HDB lifts and lift lobbies in Singapore. It is sprayed on surfaces in liquid form like regular disinfectants, and is safe on human skin.
The latest effort came about after the Changi Airport Group’s philanthropic arm, Changi Foundation, donated 650 litres of SDST to all 16 town councils in Singapore. This amount was found to be sufficient to coat all 1.5 million lift buttons in 26,000 HDB lifts.
Used at Changi Airport, the special disinfectant continues killing bacteria, fungus and viruses even after drying. It also remains in place even after repeated scrubbing and cleaning, as the surface is protected by millions of needle-like structures, which rupture the germ’s cell membrane, killing it. The new disinfectant contains the National Environment Agency-recommended ingredient, which is effective against Covid-19 and other similar strains. It is also effective against norovirus and the H1N1 virus. Having been applied in childcare centres to combat hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), the centres have reported between 80 to 100 per cent success rate in the elimination of outbreaks of HFMD. We will proceed with the second round of the application of the self-disinfecting coating for the lift buttons.
As HDB common areas are used for a wide range of events, including funerals, the JRTC is working closely with event organisers to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Health’s enhanced safe-distancing measures. Organisers are required to ensure spaced seating of at least one metre between participants. Event organisers must also take steps to improve ventilation, and carry out temperature and health screening, as well as putting in place measures to facilitate future contact tracing.
To further protect our residents, the Town Council is also ensuring that essential events such as funeral services are kept at a distance of at least one metre away from high human traffic areas such as lift lobbies and entry/exit points to the HDB blocks.
Stringent measures have also been introduced by the Town Council at four markets – Block 254 Jurong East St 24, Block 347 Jurong East Ave 1, Block 505 Jurong West St 52 and Block 448 Clementi Ave 3. These include crowd management such as controlled entry and exit points at these markets. For the safety and well-being of the patrons, they’re must wear a mask while being out and about and visiting these markets. Effective 12 April, 2020, patrons without masks will be refused entry to all markets.
In view of the circuit breaker measures announced by the Government, all access to the recreational facilities like playgrounds, fitness corners, game courts, pavilions, barbecue pits and seating areas at void decks, hawker centres, open spaces including areas outside the senior activity centres were temporarily closed previously for the safety of our residents.
For assistance, residents may reach the Town Council via the following channels:
- Tel: 6561 2222 or 1800-275-5555 (EMSU)
- Email: enquiry@jrtc.org.sg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JurongClementiTC/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jurongclementitc
We regret any inconvenience caused during this period but request your cooperation so that we can overcome this challenge.