Those unvaccinated must provide self-paid Covid-19 test results to visit S'pore hospital wards

To reduce risk of Covid-19 clusters in hospitals.

Jason Fan | August 16, 2021, 06:57 PM

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All hospital wards will be adopting a vaccinated-differentiated approach from Thursday (Aug. 19) onwards, in order to protect hospital patients from Covid-19 infection.

From Aug. 19, fully-vaccinated visitors, as well as persons who have recovered from Covid-19 and have a valid Pre-Event Test (PET) exemption notice will be able to enter hospital wards without the need for a Covid-19 test.

They will be required to show their vaccination status on HealthHub or the TraceTogether app as proof of vaccination. Screenshots will not be allowed.

Negative Covid-19 test needed for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated

From Oct. 1, partially vaccinated individuals will be required to show a negative pre-visit Covid-19 test result, before being allowed to visit the hospital wards.

They will be temporarily exempted from the testing requirement from now till Sep. 30.

All unvaccinated visitors must obtain a self-paid pre-visit Covid-19 test, prior to visiting the hospital wards.

They will not be allowed to enter hospital wards unless they can show a valid negative antigen rapid test (ART) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result obtained within the last 24 hours of the visit.

Covid-19 testing must be done by MOH-approved providers

The test must be administered or supervised by test providers approved by MOH, including employer directed tests performed at the Quick Test Centres.

According to MOH, pre-visit Covid-19 testing can be done at any MOH-approved ART provider.

From Sep. 1, 2021, hospitals may also assist unvaccinated visitors to make advanced testing arrangements for a pre-visit test at the Quick Test Centres (QTCs).

The date and time of the appointment slot will be dependent on the daily availability of slots at the respective QTCs, and the cost of testing will be borne by the visitors.

According to MOH, under exceptional and time-sensitive situations, hospitals may exercise discretion to assist unvaccinated visitors with ART testing on a case-by-case basis.

This includes visiting patients with sudden life-threatening conditions, unexpected child birth or delivery, and individuals or elderly with severe physical limitations which restrict their access to pre-visit testing providers.

Current visitation duration remains

The current visitation duration of 30 minutes will be maintained for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

Each patient can register up to two visitors for each admission, and each patient can receive up to two visits per day, with only one visitor allowed at the bedside.

Patients who are very ill will be allowed to five registered visitors for each admission, with two visitors allowed at the bedside each time.

Exceptions will be given to visitors of the following patient groups to extend their visit beyond 30 minutes, on a conditional, case-by-case basis, as assessed by the hospital:

  1. Paediatric patients
  2. Birthing/post-partum mothers
  3. Patients requiring additional care support from care givers, including assistance of inpatients who have mental incapacities, and visitors involved in caregiver training

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Top image via Wikipedia.