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Response To Media Queries On Donning Of Masks For ICA Officers
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is aware of claims made in a Facebook post by user “Manju Balakrishnan” that officers at the checkpoints are not allowed to wear masks while on duty.
2. ICA officers who are manning immigration counters or interacting with the general public are not required to wear surgical masks. This is because the risk of infection from such transient contact is assessed to be low. The health authorities generally define the level of close contact that is necessary for virus transmission as an exposure of at least 30 minutes within two metres of an infected person.
3. We have therefore advised our officers that they do not need to wear a mask if they are well. Officers who are unwell and have a fever, cough or runny nose should put on a surgical mask, and seek medical attention promptly.
4. ICA officers who are assigned to perform clearance duties on travellers with respiratory symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath) will don surgical masks and disposable gloves.
5. The well-being of our officers is of utmost importance, and ICA is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our officers. ICA has also been providing hand sanitisers to our officers for their personal hygiene. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our measures accordingly in line with MOH guidelines.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
31 JANUARY 2020
2. ICA officers who are manning immigration counters or interacting with the general public are not required to wear surgical masks. This is because the risk of infection from such transient contact is assessed to be low. The health authorities generally define the level of close contact that is necessary for virus transmission as an exposure of at least 30 minutes within two metres of an infected person.
3. We have therefore advised our officers that they do not need to wear a mask if they are well. Officers who are unwell and have a fever, cough or runny nose should put on a surgical mask, and seek medical attention promptly.
4. ICA officers who are assigned to perform clearance duties on travellers with respiratory symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath) will don surgical masks and disposable gloves.
5. The well-being of our officers is of utmost importance, and ICA is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our officers. ICA has also been providing hand sanitisers to our officers for their personal hygiene. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our measures accordingly in line with MOH guidelines.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
31 JANUARY 2020