Measures to Prevent Mosquito Breeding

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Ministry will consider more stringent regulatory measures for vector control at vulnerable mosquito breeding locations, such as construction sites.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) whether NEA will be stepping up checks for mosquito breeding in construction sites and workers' dormitories all over Singapore and not merely in areas where the first cases of Zika infection are detected; (b) what other steps will NEA be taking to improve vector control in these sites; and (c) whether the Ministry will be working with the Ministry of Health to prevent or minimise the spread of the Zika virus through better management in construction sites or workers' dormitories and, if so, what are the actions that are being taken.

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) in the past five years, how many construction site contractors have been prosecuted for mosquito breeding; (b) whether harsher penalties, such as heavy fines should be implemented for contractors who are repeat offenders; (c) whether the monthly inspection regime should be applied to construction sites close to residential areas rather than just large sites; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider mandating rather than encouraging all construction site workers to apply insect repellent and sleep under mosquito nets.