Latest COVID-19 Restrictions From 28 Aug: Optional Mask Indoors, No SHN For Non-Vaccinated Travellers, Booster Jabs For Children & More
YAY, we don’t have to mask up from 29 Aug!
The Multi-Ministry Task Force (MTF) has made a series of COVID-19 related announcements today (24 Aug), following Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s address at the National Day Rally 2022.
For your benefit, we’ve compiled all announcements in chronological order so you don’t have to!
TL;DR: An Overview of Singapore’s COVID-19 Restrictions From 28 Aug
From 28 Aug, 11.59PM: No More Stay-home Notice for Non-vaccinated Travellers Entering Singapore
Non-fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to serve a seven-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) nor take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test upon ending their SHN.
However, they are still required to take a pre-departure test within two days, with a negative result, before departing for Singapore.
Currently, non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above need to apply for entry approval to enter Singapore. From 28 Aug at 11.59pm, they will no longer be required to do so.
However, non-fully vaccinated short-term visitors will still be required to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance to cover their stay in Singapore.
Medical Charges From Catching COVID-19 Overseas
For those who require a reminder, the Government has streamlined the charging policies for travellers based on border measures and their vaccination status.
If you travel frequently, you should pay attention to them:
| Travel Category / Travellers | - Fully vaccinated - Those who are medically exempted from the vaccines - Children aged 12 years and below | Non-fully Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|
| General Category | No longer have to pay for medical bills incurred for COVID-19 treatment in hospitals and treatment facilities even if they develop the onset of symptoms or test positive within 14 days of their return to Singapore. Any future changes to the charging policy for community cases here will correspondingly apply to this group of travellers. | Remain responsible for their treatment costs, just like the charging policy for unvaccinated individuals who contracted COVID-19 in the community. |
| Restricted Category | Regardless of vaccinated status, these travellers are required to pay for medical bills in hospitals and dedicated COVID-19 treatment and recovery facilities. This applies if they develop symptoms or test positive within 7 days of their return to Singapore. | |
Make sure to purchase your travel insurance to keep your medical costs at bay!
From 29 Aug: Mask-wearing Is Only Required in Some Indoor Settings
Mask-wearing will only be required in public transport, healthcare facilities, residential care homes, COVID-19 care facilities, emergency vehicles and when handling food.
This means that it is optional to wear a mask in taxis, private-hire cars and school buses.
As for commercial flights and ferries, mask-wearing will not be required on:
- Outbound commercial flights and ferries from Singapore to destinations that do not require mask-wearing onboard
- Inbound commercial flights and ferries into Singapore from destinations that do not require mask-wearing onboard
Do note that you will still be required to wear masks when going to or leaving destinations that require mask-wearing onboard.
Of course, you can still choose to wear it for your own protection or buy a reusable version if you’re environmentally conscious.
From 1 Sept: Easing of Visitor Restrictions for Hospitals and Care Homes
Currently, only two pre-designated visitors are allowed for patients hospitalised, and only one visitor at the bedside at any one time.
However, from 1 Sep onwards, the number of hospital bedside visitors will be increased to two.
Similarly, at residential homes, only four pre-designated visitors are allowed currently, with each visit capped at up to 30 minutes per visitor.
From 1 Sept onwards, two visitors per resident will be allowed per visit, with each visit capped at one hour.
As above, masks are required in healthcare facilities, so don’t forget about them!
You’re also encouraged to take an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) before visiting. Here’s where to find cheap ART kits if you need them:
Booster Jab Eligibility, Intervals and Where To Go for Adults, Children and Seniors
With COVID-19 being an everchanging disease, the Government has reviewed the vaccination policies constantly.
As of 24 Aug, this is what you need to know about eligibility, when to take your booster shots, and where to do so.
| Profile | Age Eligibility | First or Second Booster Dose | Where to Jab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teenagers & Adults | Aged 12 to 17 may walk into any Joint Testing and Vaccination Centre (JTVC) offering the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine. These individuals will be required to bring a duly completed and signed hard or electronic copy of the parental consent form, which can be downloaded here. Individuals aged 18 and above may walk into any JTVC. | 5 months after the last dose of their primary vaccination series and should be received at least 28 days after the infection, although they are recommended to do so 3 months from the infection for better effectiveness. The booster dose should not be delayed beyond nine months after the primary vaccine course. | Joint Testing and Vaccination Centre (JTVC) |
| Children | 5 to 11 years old | 5 months from second dose of primary vaccination series* | 5 new vaccination centres will be set up at locations across the island to administer these doses |
| Seniors | 50 and above | 5 months from first booster shot | All individuals eligible for their primary series vaccination*, their first and second booster dose, can walk-in into any of the 10 joint testing and vaccination centres located across the island. Appointments can also be booked at these centres, participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs), or polyclinics via SMS invitations. |
| *The primary vaccine course may comprise of either: - Two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna/Spikevax or the Novavax/Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine; - Two or more doses of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccines as part of a three-dose primary vaccination series; or - A complete primary vaccination regimen of other World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing vaccines. |
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