Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News

Singapore is moving hundreds of foreign workers to floating hotels managed by a British company based in Liverpool to keep them isolated from possible COVID-19 infection as the island state battles a second surge of infections.

Described as “self-sufficient”, the floating hotels are operated by Liverpool-based company Bibby Maritime and there are two currently being used in the island city-state of Singapore, according to local media.

Transport minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Facebook on 12th April that the floating hotels are docked in a restricted area in the Tanjong Pagar Terminal.

Around 500 workers are reportedly permitted to visit the open deck, but mingling is not allowed and meals will be prepared off-site before being delivered to their personal cabins.

One floating hotel, called the Bibby Progress, has 155 hotel rooms and can hold up to 310 people, according to reports.

Another hotel called the Bibby Renaissance reportedly has 332 rooms and can host up to 664 people.

Floating hotels are commonly used for offshore and marine work and have previously been deployed in countries such as Norway and Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile, the foreign workers will have to practise social distancing measures until further notice.

Last week, Singapore announced a one-month lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University, there have been 2,532 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Singapore.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.