COVID-19 Phase Advisory

When will the vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (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 especially in mask-off settings, which are higher risk.  Hence stricter measures are applied to them. 

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

• Please refer to the advisory here.   
  

What is the “Vaccinate or Regular Test” regime? What are the sectors of the workforce that are required to be under this regime?    

• From 1 October 2021, selected sectors of workforce will require vaccination or regular testing in lieu. Unvaccinated workers will have to be tested with an ART kit twice a week. For the small group that remains medically ineligible for the mRNA vaccines, the Government will subsidise their tests. 
  
  This “Vaccinate or Regular Test” (VoRT) regime serves to pick up possible infections early so that they can be treated early. This will also mitigate risk of transmission to their colleagues and the public.

The following sectors and their workers will be covered in this regime:
1)    Healthcare e.g. public and private hospitals, Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics, allied health services
2)    Eldercare e.g. nursing homes, senior care centres, residential facilities
3)    Settings with children 12 years and below e.g. preschools, early intervention centres, student care centres, schools, tuition and enrichment centres
4)    Public Service, including the uniformed services 
5)    Border front-line workers, e.g. workers at air, land, and sea checkpoints, Marine & Process workers 
6)    COVID-19 front-line workers, e.g. workers at community care facilities, government quarantine facilities, patient transporters, swabbers 
7)    Construction and Process Construction & Maintenance 
8)    Food Services, e.g. wait staff, kitchen staff 
9)    Gyms and fitness studios, e.g. instructors and trainers, receptionists 
10)    Personal care services with prolonged close contact between individuals, e.g. spa, massage, and facial therapists, hairdressers, make-up artists 
11)    Retail malls and large standalone stores 
12)    Supermarkets 
13)    Arts classes, e.g. dance, singing, wind/brass instruments, voice and theatre training (including speech and drama, actor training) classes 
14)    Pivoted bars, nightclubs, discotheques and karaoke establishments that are allowed to re-open 
15)    Markets, e.g. stallholders and assistants 
16)    Last-mile delivery personnel, including parcel and food delivery personnel 
17)    Cleaners in sectors listed above, and those offering disinfection services 
18)    Public and private transport workers, e.g. public bus captains, front-line staff at public transport nodes, taxi and private hire car drivers, driving school/private driving instructors

When does the “Vaccinate or Regular Test” regime take effect from?  

• The “Vaccinate or Regular Test” requirement will take effect from 1 October 2021. In the meantime, we strongly encourage all employers to facilitate vaccination for your employees. A fully vaccinated workforce ensures a safe workplace and safe environment for everyone.

Who pays for the “Vaccinate or Regular Test”?    

• For workers from the selected sectors who are medically eligible, but choose not to be vaccinated, they or their employer will have to pay for the tests. The costs of these tests can be avoided if the worker is fully vaccinated before 1 Oct 2021. For persons who are medically ineligible to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and are required to undergo the regular tests, the Government will support the cost of the test kits required.
  

Who are considered medically ineligible to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines?     

• For the purpose of “Vaccinate or Regular Test” regime, the medically ineligible for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines includes the following:
  a)    Persons who had developed an allergic reaction to a previous dose of any mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
  b)    Persons who had developed myocarditis or pericarditis following administration of any mRNA COVID19 vaccine. 
  c)    Persons who developed a severe adverse reaction to a previous dose of any mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and has been determined by a physician that he/she should not receive a second mRNA vaccine dose.
  d)    Persons who have not taken any COVID-19 mRNA vaccine but have been determined to be allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG)/ polysorbate through a positive skin prick/ intradermal test.
  e)    Persons with/ under the following condition(s)/ treatment: 
           - Transplant within past 3 months; and/or
           - Aggressive immunotherapy; and/or
           - Active cancer on treatment.
  

Can my organisation participate in the “Vaccinate or Regular Test” regime?  

• Organisations may choose to voluntarily implement the regime for their workforce at own cost. 

How does the Vaccinate or Regular Test (VoRT) regime apply to those who are currently on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Fast and Easy Test (FET) Rostered Routine Testing (RRT)?  

• The regular test requirement for unvaccinated workers is an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) to be done twice a week. For workers who are undergoing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Fast and Easy Testing (FET) Rostered Routine Testing (RRT), their PCR or FET test taken under the RRT regimes will count towards the VoRT requirement to be tested twice a week. The table below summarises the VoRT test requirement for unvaccinated workers.

Can I apply for the workplace ART kit distribution and use the 8 kits provided per on-site employee to fulfil the VoRT requirement of twice-weekly testing for unvaccinated workers?  

• Employees may make use of the 8 free kits per on-site employee to fulfil their VoRT requirement. Once they have used up their free 8 kits, they will then need to self-fund the required kits under VoRT for the subsequent months.
  
  Companies that apply for the workplace ART kit distribution will need to subject all (and not just a sub-set) of on-site employees to weekly testing for 8 weeks. 
  
  More details of the workplace ART kit distribution will be released shortly. 

[Updated 27 Sep] Is carpooling allowed?

• Carpooling trips which do not involve payment, such as those amongst family, friends and colleagues, is permitted, subject to the prevailing cap on social gathering size of up to 2 persons.  More than 2 persons may travel together in the same car if they are members of the same household. 

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 under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, 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 or 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 offence under COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act) 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 27 Sep] My household consists of more than 2 people. Can we all go out together, since we are from the same household?

• The cap on social gathering size of 2 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 2 is from the same household or from more than one household. 
  So you 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 2 persons, please maintain at least 1m distancing in groups of no more than 2 persons. 

[Updated 27 Sep] From 27 September, can my household of more than 2 persons sit together at the same table in a restaurant?  

Groups of up to 2 persons will be allowed to dine-in at F&B establishments if all the diners are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated children aged 12 years and below may be included within the group of 2 persons.  More than 2 individuals from the same household would need to split into groups of up to 2 individuals. 

As hawker centres and coffee shops are open-air and naturally ventilated spaces, and provide essential food services, we will extend a special concession for both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons to dine in these venues. This will be subject to a group size of up to 2 persons only.  If there are more than 2 diners from the same household, then the group would need to split up into groups of up to 2 diners.  

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

[Updated 27 Sep] Why are unvaccinated individuals not allowed to dine in in F&B outlets and participate 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.

Activities such as F&B dine-in and indoor high-intensity/mask-off  physical activities present a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission as people are generally  unmasked and tend to expel more droplets e.g. from talking or breathing more heavily. 

This risk is especially high in settings such as F&B establishments and gyms/ fitness studios where there are multiple groups of unmasked persons in a confined space for prolonged periods. This is why, at this point in time, we will allow only fully-vaccinated individuals to dine-in in F&B outlets in groups of up to 2 persons, and resume indoor high-intensity/ mask-off physical activities. Individuals who are unvaccinated may however take part in these activities if they have tested negative on a valid pre-event test within the past 24 hours covering the duration of the event.

[Updated 27 Sep] Can I organise my own gathering in a group of 2 with F&B involved? Will vaccination be required? 
Social gatherings may take place in groups of up to 2 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. 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.

• The cap on social gathering size for social activities, or number of visitors to households per day is currently 2 persons, regardless of vaccination status. 

[Updated 27 Sept] 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 2 persons, in classes of up to 50 persons, including the instructor.  This is irrespective of vaccination or test status of these persons.

• For high-intensity mask-off physical activities and classes held indoors in gyms and fitness studios:  Groups of up to 2 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 will be suspended.

[Updated 27 Sept] I 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 2 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 2 persons). These visitors are not restricted to having to come from the same household.
  
• 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 dining-in at an F&B establishment, all individuals within the group of up to 2 persons will need to be fully vaccinated.  Please refer to the above section on "Vaccinated-differentiated Safe Management Measures" for more information.  

[Updated 27 Sep] Can I organise an outdoor taichi / yoga session with my friends in the park for more than 2  persons, as long as we keep in groups of 2?

• Social gatherings including for exercise must not exceed 2 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 2 persons. Individuals should be spaced at least 2 metres apart and groups should be spaced at least 3 metres apart. There should be no intermingling between groups. Please refer to Sport Singapore’s website for details.

[Updated 27 Sep] 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 / tuition teacher
• 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 two-person 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 1 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 2 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.

[Updated 27 Sep] 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 2 customers per day (if you have no other visitors to your household that day).

[Updated 27 Sep] Are door-to-door promotions allowed during this stabilisation period from 27 September 2021?
Yes. However, promoters should keep their interactions with residents brief. We advise salespersons to keep to small groups in conducting such door-to-door promotions, e.g. no more than two persons.

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.

[Updated 23 Sep]  What is the visitation policy at hospitals?

• From 24 Sep to 23 Oct 2021, inpatients will not be allowed to receive any visitors. This is to reduce the potential transmission in hospitals.

• 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.

• For the above groups of patients only one visitor is allowed per day

• Patients who are very ill may register up to five pre-designated visitors. Up to two of these visitors may be at the patient’s bedside at any one time

• Visitors who are allowed to visit will be required to obtain a valid negative COVID-19 test result regardless of their vaccination status.

• Visitors who are unwell or symptomatic should not visit patients in hospital wards, regardless of their vaccination status.

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.

[Updated 27 Sep] How long will this Stabilising Phase last for? How long will Vaccination-differentiated Safe Management Measures be implemented for?

• The Stabilising Phase started on 27 Sep 2021.  The measures will be reviewed two weeks thereafter and adjusted based on the community situation then.