A 37-year-old GrabFood rider has been linked to the mass religious gathering held at a mosque in Malaysia.

The event had approximately 10,000 attendees, including 95 Singaporeans. Malaysian authorities report that a few Covid-19 cases have been linked to it.

The 37-year-old rider, a Singaporean, has been identified as Case 199.

According to MOH, he was in Malaysia from Feb. 26 to Mar. 2. He reported onset of symptoms on Mar. 3.

More than a week later, on Mar. 12, he was referred by MOH to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). He was diagnosed on Mar. 13.

The ministry added that prior to hospital admission, he had gone to work as a food delivery personnel employed by GrabFood and visited Masjid Al-Mawaddah at Compassvale.

He stays at Hougang Street 51.

In the same press release, MOH announced that Cases 197 and 202 also attended the same religious gathering in Malaysia.

Before their admission to hospital, Case 197 visited Masjid Kassim, Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang, and Masjid Sultan while Case 202 visited Masjid Al-Mawaddah, Masjid Jamae (Chulia) and Masjid Al-Istiqamah.

On Mar. 12, MOH announced that all mosques in Singapore will be closed from Mar. 13 -17 as a precautionary measure.

Grab's statement

"Grab has reached out to the Ministry of Health for details of case 199 so that we can assist in contact tracing efforts and provide support to our GrabFood delivery partner during this challenging time. Grab would like to reassure our users that their health and wellbeing is our priority. We have been enhancing our precautionary measures for such scenarios since the first confirmed case in Singapore: Any driver- or delivery-partners who are tested positive for COVID-19, under Quarantine Order or Leave of Absence will be temporarily suspended from the Grab platform and provided support packages which include a one-time allowance and incentive programme adjustment. A 24/7 feedback channel has been set up to allow partners and consumers to inform us of any user who may seem unwell, and those who consistently exhibit respiratory symptoms will be requested to see a doctor and seek medical clearance before they can continue to use our platform. We’ve also been encouraging our GrabFood users to arrange for contactless deliveries by opting for cashless payment and letting our delivery-partners know in advance to leave their food orders at their doorstep, or building’s reception area, in order to limit exposure. Grab will do everything within our means to keep our community safe, and we urge our partners and the public to continue to look out for one another, be socially responsible and take precautionary measures, and pay attention to personal hygiene.”

Top photo by M Khairi Al Jawhari/Facebook