SINGAPORE – Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong has received a health risk warning after coming into close contact with a Covid-19 patient.

A spokesperson for the Department of Trade and Industry told the Straits Times on Saturday (October 2): “Minister Gan has received an HRW (health hazard warning) following close contact with a positive case of Covid-19 and minimizes social interactions until his HRW ends on October 4. “

The minister was not physically present at the press conference held on Saturday by the multi-ministerial working group on Covid-19, and instead appeared via the Zoom video conference application.

A health risk warning is issued to those who have been in the vicinity of a Covid-19 case for an extended period, based on their SafeEntry records, or who are identified as close contact of a case.

Individuals who have received the warning must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 48 hours at a designated testing center.

They should self-isolate until the test result is negative and minimize social interactions with others throughout the health risk warning period.

On the third, fifth and seventh days after the last exposure to the confirmed case, they should perform self-administered tests using a rapid antigen test kit.

Another PCR test should be done on day 8 and the health risk warning ends on day 10.

The requirements are legally binding under the Infectious Diseases Act.