Of the 19 staff members at the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) Siparia, seven have thus far tested positive for Covid-19 and 11 have been quarantined.

Following Friday’s PSA News report, Public Services Association (PSA) Industrial Relations Officer (IRO), Aaron Singh, has alerted PSA Media that the numbers have since increased.

IRO Singh stated that one worker of the 19 employees was saved from being exposed as this employee was on vacation leave. However, Singh said, 18 employees were left exposed. The 11 quarantined are awaiting results.

He stated that upon inquiry, it has been reported that the Chairman could not confirm if the building had been sanitized over the weekend. IRO Singh stated that employees were understandably concerned for themselves and their families, as exposure to the virus should not be taken lightly.

Singh indicated that on behalf of the PSA, he would be writing to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, today seeking immediate intervention. He said that the matter had to be acted on urgently in order to prevent replacement staff being further exposed and contaminated.

“Safe guarding the health and well being of our membership is of utmost importance to the PSA,” said Singh.