COVID-19 Phase Advisory

[Updated 21 Dec]What are some of the settings with Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (SMMs)? 

When will the vaccination-differentiated SMMs for vaccinated individuals be implemented? Why is there a need to differentiate the measures in the first place?

• The differentiated SMMs for vaccinated individuals has been implemented since 10 August 2021. We have eased measures for those who are fully vaccinated, because they have good protection against the infection and are at lower risk of becoming dangerously ill if infected with COVID-19.  Therefore, there is no need to have such strict measures applied to a vaccinated person or groups of vaccinated persons. Unvaccinated individuals would need to be more prudent in interacting with larger groups of people, which are higher risk. Hence stricter measures are applied to them.

• Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and below, are currently exempted from the vaccination-differentiated SMM requirements as the focus at this time is to ensure our children are well protected as we begin vaccination for those aged five to 11 years using the paediatric doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech/Cominarty COVID-19 vaccine. However, accompanying parent(s) should ensure that the children comply with other SMMs as children remain vulnerable to potential infection. 

Why are unvaccinated individuals not allowed to enter shopping malls and attractions, on top of dining-in in F&B outlets and participating in indoor high-intensity mask-off activities?

• In general, fully-vaccinated individuals have good protection against severe illness, and are also less likely to infect others as compared to unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated individuals will however need to exercise tighter safe management measures to protect themselves and those around them.

• Epidemiological investigations have identified food and beverage (F&B) settings, retail establishments, and shopping centres as common transmission settings frequently visited by a significant proportion of COVID-19 positive cases. Hence, we have expanded the coverage of vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) for entry into shopping malls, attractions, hawker centres, and coffee shops since13 October 2021.

• At present, unvaccinated children aged 12 years and below will be exempted from the vaccination-differentiated SMMs.

• The following exception will also be granted for unvaccinated persons to access the following services within malls, on the basis that such services are critical to individuals and families, and alternatives may not be easily available:

1. Childcare-related services. Unvaccinated individuals who need to drop off young children at pre-schools and childcare centres may do so if they are able to provide a valid certification letter issued by the preschool/ childcare centre.
 
2. Medical related services. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated persons will be allowed to go to clinics within malls to access medical services, provided they provide proof of their appointment (via SMS, email or hardcopy letters). These medical services will also include dental services and licenced TCM practitioners.
 
Malls are given the flexibility and discretion to cater to exigencies or compassionate reasons, such as allowing unvaccinated persons to accompany persons with disabilities to enter malls.

[Updated 27 Jan 2022] What are the details of vaccination-differentiated SMMs?

Who are considered medically ineligible to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP)?

Only the following persons are certified to be medically ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccines under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP):

Is carpooling allowed?

• Carpooling trips are permitted, subject to the prevailing cap on social gathering size of up to 5 persons. More than 5 persons may travel together in the same vehicle if they are members of the same household (same address on NRIC).

What if I go to the supermarket/convenience/F&B shop and there are too many people inside or in the queue for me to practise one-metre safe distancing?

• Please follow the instructions of the supermarket/shop staff on where and how to queue. Alternatively, you may wish to go to an alternate supermarket/shop if possible, or return to the store later when it is not so crowded.

What if someone outside my group comes close to me, less than one metre distance, in public spaces? Will enforcement action be taken against me?

• Members of public are required to keep a distance of at least one metre from other individuals or groups (according to the prevailing permissible group size) in public places (excluding in vehicles or public transport facilities).
• Enforcement officers will assess the facts of each case carefully, including whether there are reasonable explanations for any compliance. We will not hesitate to take action against egregious breaches.

How will the Government check and enforce these measures? What are the penalties for individuals who flout the rules? Who can serve these enforcement penalties?

• These measures have been provided with the force of law, and are enforceable across sectors and against individuals and businesses. This will be enforced strictly, for the protection of everyone.
• Enforcement officers will be on the ground, and egregious breaking of these rules will lead to enforcement action under the Infectious Disease Act, the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act or other relevant laws.  For instance, under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, the penalties for breaches are imprisonment for up to a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both, and (for a second offencet) up to a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $20,000 or both.

There have been cases where frauds were acting as Safe Distancing Ambassadors. How do I verify if the enforcement officer is indeed appointed by the Government? Will I be expected to make payment for any penalties upfront?

• Safe-Distancing Ambassadors are deployed by various government agencies to help and guide businesses and individuals to comply with the safe distancing measures. They do not impose fines.
• Enforcement Officers will not collect fines on the spot, from individuals and businesses who have contravened these rules. The penalties for breaches will be issued to individuals or businesses in the form of composition letters which will state the relevant follow up actions required.

[Updated 21 Nov] household consists of more than 5 people. Can we all go out together, since we are from the same household?

• The cap on social gathering size of 5 is meant to minimise interaction and the risk of transmission across different households, but we seek your understanding that it is not possible to easily tell in a public setting if a group of more than 5 is from the same household or from more than one household. 
• So more than 5 individuals from the same household (same NRIC address) may choose to go out together, but your household needs to observe the prevailing group size limits in public settings and venues, i.e. if there are more than 5 persons, please maintain at least 1m distancing between groups of no more than 5 persons. For example, a family of 6 people who live together can go to the park together, but have to be divide into two groups of 3 people, or a group of 4 and 2, with 1m apart between groups. 

[Updated 21 Dec] Can my household of more than 5 persons sit together at the same table in a restaurant/ hawker centre/ coffeeshop?  

Since 22 November 2021, up to 5 fully vaccinated persons, regardless of household, are allowed to dine in together at F&B establishments, as these settings are able to administer comprehensive VDS checks. Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and below may be included within the group of 5 persons, provided that all children are from the same household. As previously announced, medically ineligible persons may also be included within such groups of 5 persons. Nevertheless, we continue to caution medically ineligible persons of their susceptibility to severe illness if infected with COVID-19. and urge them to be careful despite such a concession. 

As it is more challenging for hawker centres and coffee shops to conduct comprehensive VDS checks, such groups of up to 5 persons will only be allowed to dine-in at Hawker centres and coffee shops where full VDS checks have been implemented. Otherwise, dining-in at hawker centres and coffee shops without full VDS checks will remain at groups of up to 2 fully vaccinated persons. Unvaccinated individuals are not allowed to dine-in and may continue to only take-away food from these establishments.

Dining-in remains a high-risk activity because many people will be unmasked and in close proximity with each other. Thus, diners are reminded to adhere to all safe management measures and keep their masks on at all times except when eating or drinking.

[Updated 21 Nov] Can I organise my own gathering in a group of 5 with F&B involved? Will vaccination be required? 

Social gatherings may take place in groups of up to 5 people in public places. Homes may also receive up to 2 unique visitors per day. Whilst eating and drinking in these groups is not prohibited, you are strongly advised to minimise the number and size of such gatherings, because mask-off activities are higher risk. As far as possible, you should also accept only visitors who are vaccinated, so as to protect those who are unvaccinated from exposure to the virus. Unvaccinated individuals should also exercise caution and protect themselves by reducing their movement and staying at home as much as possible. In addition, visitors to households that have an unvaccinated person or vulnerable elderly are strongly encouraged to test themselves prior to the visit to ensure that they do not unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to those who are vulnerable.  

Individuals are also advised to avoid eating takeaway food in public or common areas, especially in high-traffic, crowded areas.

• Grandparents may go over to help with child-caring arrangements, however, they will contribute to the prevailing permissible visitor cap to a household per day.
• Families who are relying on grandparents for childcare on a daily basis are advised to take the necessary safe distancing precautions to protect the grandparents. Observe personal hygiene and try to reduce interaction time as far as possible when visiting. Do not visit if you are unwell.
• Grandparents are also strongly encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccination, to protect both themselves and their grandchildren. To reduce the risk of transmission, grandparents should also minimise intermingling between grandchildren from different households as much as possible.

My siblings and I drop our children off at their grandparents’ house on weekdays. Will this be allowed?

• Grandchildren being cared for by their grandparents on a daily basis would not be counted towards the prevailing permissible visitor cap per household, or to the number of social gatherings per day.
• Grandparents are also strongly encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccination, to protect both themselves and their grandchildren. To reduce the risk of transmission, grandparents should also minimise intermingling between grandchildren from different households as much as possible.

I am divorced and my children take turns to live with me and my ex-spouse. Can this arrangement continue?

• Yes, this is allowed.

I am planning to relocate to a new place of residence. Am I allowed to engage more than 2 movers from a moving company to help me to shift my furniture and belongings?

• Yes. If you are relocating from one place of residence to another, more than 2 workers from a moving company are allowed to enter your home, to support the relocation of furniture and belongings from the old to the new residential address.

[Updated 1 Jan 2022] What is the permissible group size in gyms and fitness studios?

• For mask-on activities and classes held indoors in gyms and fitness studios:  Groups are allowed of up to 5 persons, in classes of up to 50 persons, including the instructor. Only vaccinated and recovered individuals will be allowed to take part in such activities*. The concession for unvaccinated individuals to perform PET in lieu of being fully vaccinated has been removed with effect from 1 January 2022.

• For high-intensity mask-off physical activities and classes held indoors in gyms and fitness studios:  Groups of up to 5 persons are allowed, in classes up to 30 persons, provided all individuals in the class are fully vaccinated. 

• In general, class sizes are subject to the limits indicated above or the venue's capacity limit, whichever is lower. Please refer to Sport Singapore’s website for details. In-person classes serving students aged 12 years and below has also been allowed to resume.

[Updated 21 Nov] have a weekly get-together (e.g. high tea, mahjong, movie screening) with my close group of friends. Can we do this?

• Social gatherings of up to any 5 persons can take place. These persons do not need to be from the same household. If gathering is at the home of one of the persons, the home may receive up to the prevailing permissible number of visitors per day (i.e. up to 5 persons). These visitors are not restricted to having to come from the same household. As far as possible, we should also accept only visitors who are vaccinated, so as to protect those who are unvaccinated from exposure to the virus. Unvaccinated individuals should also exercise caution and protect themselves by reducing their movement and staying at home as much as possible. In addition, visitors to households that have an unvaccinated person or vulnerable elderly are strongly encouraged to test themselves prior to the visit to ensure that they do not unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to those who are vulnerable. 

• Individuals should limit their overall number of social gatherings to not more than 1 per day and keep their number of contacts small, preferably limited to a regular circle of close contacts. If accepting visitors, keep them preferably to family members or very close friends, and remind them not to visit if they are not feeling well.
• If you and your friends are visiting shopping malls and/or attractions, all individuals within the group of up to 5 persons will need to be fully vaccinated.  Please refer to the above section on "Vaccinated-differentiated Safe Management Measures" for more information.  

[Updated 21 Nov] Can I organise an outdoor taichi / yoga session with my friends in the park for more than 5 persons, as long as we keep in groups of 5?

• Social gatherings including for exercise must not exceed 5 persons. The safe distancing measures are put in place to minimise interactions to prevent transmission. In line with the intent, social gatherings of more than the prevailing permissible group size should not take place.
• Outdoor exercise classes organised by enterprises such as a registered instructor can take place with up to 50 persons (inclusive of instructor) in groups of no more than 5 persons. Groups should be spaced at least 2 metres apart. There should be no intermingling between groups. Please refer to Sport Singapore’s website for details.

[Updated 21 Nov] Can I allow people offering home-based services into my home? For example:

• repairman to fix water pipes/electricity/cable/air-conditioning issues;
• part-time cleaner / gardener
• day-time nanny caring for my child?
• can they visit more than 2 households per day?

• Home-based services will be allowed to operate. They will count as part of the 5-persons cap on visitors per day. Service providers are required to wear masks and maintain a one metre distance. For example, if your part-time cleaner is coming to clean your house, you can only receive 4 more visitor to your home within the day.
• Limiting visits to 1 household per day applies to social visits, and does not apply to those who need to visit multiple households in the course of business or employment. For example, if you are a repairman, you may visit more than 1 household for your work every day.
  
• Using renovations works as an example, only 5 workers would be allowed into the house for the whole day, with no other visitors allowed in that day. If the house is vacant with no residents, there is no limit to the number of workers allowed into the house, subject to them being able to maintain safe distancing.
• For renovation contractors, the limit of visiting more than 1 household per day does not apply to those who need to visit different households in the course of their business or employment.
• Specific requirements apply for providers of private tuition and enrichment; please visit MOE’s website at https://moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection for details on home-based tuition.

Can I receive visitors to my home if I provide home-based services, e.g. hairdressing services, tuition classes?

• Home-based services such as hairdressing services and tuition classes will be allowed to operate. Like any other homes, these homes offering services may receive up to the prevailing permissible number of visitors per day. Service providers and visitors should wear masks and maintain a one metre distancing. For example, if you are a hairdresser offering hairdressing services at your home, you may only receive up to 5 customers per day (if you have no other visitors to your household that day).

Are door-to-door promotions allowed from 27 September 2021?
Yes. However, promoters should keep their interactions with residents brief. We advise salespersons to minimise the numbers involved in conducting such door-to-door promotions.

If the promoter enters the residents house, they will be counted towards the household’s visitor cap for the day. 

What is allowed for weddings and solemnisations?

• Please refer to the safe management measures and FAQs for marriage solemnisations and wedding receptions here.

What is allowed for funerals and wakes?

• Wakes and funerals may be held at venues that are open to the public or for booking, including funeral parlours, places of worship and HDB void decks. Live instrumental music (except wind) may also be performed. Up to 30 persons may be present at any one time, excluding religious and supporting workers as well as any music performers which must be kept to a minimum, subject to the venue’s capacity limits based on safe management principles.

I am experiencing high levels of stress during this period. Where can I seek help or respite?

• Those with general anxiety or stress may call the National CARE Hotline (Tel: 6202-6868) for support.
• Those experiencing marital or parenting stress may wish to contact CPH Online Counselling at www.cphonlinecounselling.sg
• Live chat: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm
• Email: Anytime, counsellor will respond within 3 working days

What are the Safe Management requirements for my company?

• Details on the Safe Management measures for workplaces can be found at https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/requirements-for-safe-management-measures
• Sector-specific advisories can also be found at https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg/safemanagement/sector/

How do I know if my business is a permitted service?

• You may refer to the list of permitted services and FAQs on the https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg website.
• You may also call the Enterprise Infoline at 6898-1800 from 8am to 8pm (Monday to Sunday).

What if my employer operates a non-permitted service but insists that I continue working on-site?

• You may report this to Covid_GoBusiness@mti.gov.sg.

What advice does MOH generally have for permitted enterprise workers who have to move around the island a lot?

• Reduce mixing with others wherever possible, and proceed directly from point to point without stopping or dawdling. Workers who are operating outside their home are required to wear a mask at all times.

What is TraceTogether-only SafeEntry?

• SafeEntry is the national digital check-in system that logs the NRIC/FINs and contact information of individuals visiting workplaces of permitted enterprises, as well as selected public venues for contact tracing purposes. TraceTogether-only SafeEntry calls for the use of TraceTogether App or Token to perform SafeEntry check-in.  The combined use of these digital tools helps to improve the speed and efficiency of contract tracing. For more information on SafeEntry, please visit https://safeentry.gov.sg/ if you have questions about SafeEntry.

What is the visitation policy at hospitals?

• In-person visits at all hospital wards are suspended until 21 November 2021 (inclusive). This will protect healthcare capacity and vulnerable seniors.

• The following patient groups will be allowed visitors on a conditional and case-by-case basis as assessed by the hospital:

a. Patients who are in critical condition

b. Paediatric patients

c. Birthing/post-partum mothers and

d. Patients requiring additional care support from caregivers. Examples include inpatients who have mental incapacities and family members who are undergoing caregiver training to better care for their loved ones after hospital discharge.

• The above patient groups will be allowed only one pre-designated visitor, with one visit per day

• Patients who are in critical condition may be allowed up to five pre-designated visitors, with a maximum of two visitors at the patient’s bedside at any one time.

• All visitors to hospital wards during this period will need to produce a valid negative antigen rapid test (ART) result obtained within the last 24 hours of each visit, as administered or supervised by MOH-approved COVID-19 test providers (including tests performed at Quick Test Centres). This is a mandatory requirement for all visitors regardless of vaccination status, except for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 and are able to present a valid Pre-Event Test (PET) exemption notice.

• All visitors approved to enter hospital wards must don face masks with good filtration capability at all times. These include surgical masks and reusable masks that are made of two layers of fabrics. Visitors are reminded not to eat or drink in the hospital wards, or use the patients’ toilets in the wards. They should also avoid sitting on patients’ beds.

Where can I get my pre-visit COVID-19 testing done?

• Pre-visit COVID-19 testing can be done at any MOH-approved ART provider. Please refer to go.gov.sg/swabproviders for the updated list of MOH-approved providers. Visitors should contact the clinic to confirm that they provide self-paid ART tests before visiting the clinic. 
• From 1 October 2021, visitors may book an appointment to undergo the pre-visit test at the Quick Test Centres (QTCs). Tests at the Quick Test Centres for hospital visitors are by appointment only, walk-ins are not accepted. The date and time of the appointment slot will be dependent on the daily availability of slots at the respective QTCs. Payment will be collected on-site at the QTCs. We will provide more information on the appointment booking process in due course.
• Under exceptional and time sensitive situations, such as visiting patients with sudden life-threatening conditions, unexpected child birth/delivery etc.) hospitals may exercise discretion on a case by case basis and conduct on-site testing for visitors.

Are ART self-test (unsupervised) results accepted for visitor testing? 

• No, for the purpose of visitor testing in healthcare institutions, ART self-test results would not be accepted.

Can I eat at the ward during visitation hours?

• You are to keep your mask on at all times and are not allowed to consume food or drinks in the wards. For hygiene reasons, you should also refrain from sitting on patients’ beds and using patients’ toilets.

Who will pay for my visitation swab?

• MOH will cover the cost of pre-visit test done on-site at hospitals for vaccinated visitors. Vaccinated visitors can still choose to do the pre-visit test off-site at MOH-approved COVID 19 test providers and Quick Test Centres, but these will not be covered by MOH. MOH will also fund the ART tests for partially vaccinated visitors up to 30 Sep 2021.
• For unvaccinated visitors, the cost of pre-visit COVID-19 tests prior to visiting the hospitals wards will be self-borne.

Can I make multiple visits with 1 swab?

• Yes, provided the durations of the visits are within the 24 hours from the time of the ART test was done. All visitations have to adhere to hospitals’ visitation policy.

How long will this Transition Phase last for? How long will Vaccination-differentiated SMMs implemented for?

• The current transition phase started on 22 November 2021. MOH will continue to review the measures will be and adjust based on the evolving community situation.