Influenza A (H1N1) Preventive Measures at NDP 09
In view of the current Influenza A (H1N1) situation in Singapore, the NDP 09 EXCO has been monitoring the situation and will continue to review the preventive measures put in place to protect the health of participants and spectators as NDP 09 approaches.
COL Kenneth Liow, Chairman of the NDP 09 Operations and Security Committee gave an overview of the preventive measures that have been implemented at NDP 09. For participants, health checks have been categorised into 3 phases – prior to rehearsals, during rehearsals as well as additional preventive measures present at the venues themselves.
PRIOR TO THE REHEARSALS
Participants that have either travelled to MOH listed countries that are affected, come into contact with confirmed H1N1 cases or local outbreak clusters within the last 7 days or exhibit fever (with temperature exceeding 37.5°C) or flu-like symptoms will be excluded from participating in the rehearsals.
Schools have been working in close partnership with parents to do temperature checks and to inform the school if their child falls sick and is unable to attend the rehearsals.
All NDP 09 committees and participant groups have implemented these measures.
DURING REHEARSALS
Upon arrival, all participants are screened by thermal scanners before entering the holding area. Thermal scanners have been situated at all entry points.
During the rehearsals, participants who feel unwell can report sick at any of the 5 Medical Posts located throughout the Floating Platform or F1 Pit Building.
To deal with incoming participants or spectators who are feeling unwell, the following preventive measures are have been instituted at the medical posts:
1. Doctors and medics will don personal protection equipment
2. Patients with fever or flu like symptoms will be isolated from other patients
3. Suspected H1N1 cases will be transferred to hospitals by dedicated ambulance service (993)
4. Patients with fever or flu like symptoms will be sent home.
5. Isolation and contact tracing will be done according to guidelines stipulated by MOH for any confirmed H1N1 cases.
ADDITIONAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES
In addition to the above mentioned measures, the following additional preventive measures are also carried out during the rehearsals.
Being the holding area for all participants, the F1 Pit Building is disinfected prior to arrival of participants. Washing points have been set up at various convenient locations in the F1 Pit Building and large fans have been brought in to air the building.
Coupled with public hygiene messages that are prominently displayed throughout the venue, disinfectant hand sanitizers have been made widely available at the entrances and holding areas of NDP 09 for use by participants.
Participating students have been issued with a pamphlet explaining to them the procedures to take should they fall sick. Information has also been disseminated to their parents to ensure them of the preventive measures in place.
Due to the large number of participants this year, the frequency of toilet cleaning by maintenance contractors has been increased to ensure high levels of hygiene.
Vendor/contractors are required to screen their workers for flu and fever before deploying them to the NDP 09 venue.
For spectators coming for the Combined Rehearsals, NE Shows, NDP Preview and the actual parade on 9 August, mandatory temperature screening will be implemented.
The health and well-being of the participants and the public is a priority for the NDP 09 EXCO. For an overview of the NDP 09 H1N1 Management Plan, please click here.