Social and Geospatial Networks of Migrant Workers in Singapore: Implications for COVID-19 Lockdown Exit Strategies

Abstract

Background: Migrant workers in Singapore were disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This was attributed to communal living in dormitory settings and exposure in their workplace. However, little is known about the roles of social and geospatial networks in COVID-19 transmission. The study examined the networks of nonwork-related activities among migrant workers to inform the development of lockdown exit strategies and future pandemic preparedness. Methods: A survey with 509 migrant workers assessed dormitory attributes, social ties, health status, COVID-19-related variables, and travel patterns using a grid-based network questionnaire. Travel paths from dormitories were presented based on travel purposes. Two-mode social networks examined the structures and positions of networks between workers and travel areas with individual attributes. Findings: COVID-19 risk exposure was associated with the density of dormitory, social ties, and travel areas. The migrant worker hub in the city center was the most frequently visited for essential services of grocery shopping and remittance, followed by southcentral areas mainly for social gathering. The hub was positioned as the core with the highest degree of centrality with a cluster of workers exposed to COVID-19. Interpretation: Social and geospatial networks of migrant workers should be considered in the implementation of lockdown exit strategies while addressing the improvement of living conditions and monitoring systems. Essential services, like remittance and grocery shopping at affordable prices, need to be provided near to dormitories to minimize excess gatherings. Funding: NUHS Special COVID-19 Grant, NUS Start-Up Grant, and NUS School of Public Health Emergent Research Grant.Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethics committee approval was obtained.