NTUC’s FairPrice Finest store at Bedok Mall will be closed until further notice starting from Wednesday (Apr 1), after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
According to NTUC FairPrice, the employee was last at work on 25 March, was on leave on 26 March and visited the doctor on 27 March after developing a fever. “The employee has since been on medical leave. FairPrice is extending all the necessary assistance to the affected staff and the employee’s family during this time.”
All employees who work in the Bedok Mall outlet have been put on a leave of absence, NTUC FairPrice said. “The affected staff works in the backend replenishing stock and has minimal contact with customers,” it added.
A photo of the notice of the store’s closure is circulating online.
Closed for deep cleaning
According to the media release, the Bedok Mall outlet will be “closed for three days, for deep cleaning procedures, in line with the National Environment Agency’s guidelines to disinfect the premises.” The store will re-open on Saturday (4 April).
During the temporary closure, customers have been advised to visit the nearest FairPrice store in the vicinity at Block 212 Bedok North Street 1.
A person in a hazmat suit can be seen cleaning and disinfecting the premises of FairPrice Finest at Bedok Mall.
FairPrice said it is monitoring the situation closely. It added that FairPrice is “working with authorities to assist them with contact tracing and ensure all stores are safe for customers and staff.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, the supermarket has stepped up cleaning regimes, especially for high touch surfaces like railings, trolleys, baskets, checkout counters every four hours, said FairPrice. It added that all staff and suppliers have their temperature taken at least twice a day and hand sanitisers have been made available for customers to use.
The supermarket operator also encouraged customers to maintain safe distancing. “Floor markings at checkout queues, in-store posters and announcements have been put in place to remind customers to do so,” it said.