Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be expanding its "Vaccinate or Regular Test" (VoRT) regime, which requires unvaccinated workers in certain high-risk workplace settings to be tested for Covid-19 regularly.
From Oct. 1, those under the regime will include:
- Retail mall workers
- Supermarket outlet workers
- Taxi and private hire car drivers
- Last mile delivery personnel
- Driving school or private driving instructors
- Public transport frontline staff
This is because staff at these locations interact frequently with the general public.
Workers in these settings who have yet to be vaccinated must be tested twice a week with Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) to ensure that possible infections are detected early.
Testing regime for frontline workers
The government announced the VoRT regime around a week ago.
Workers already under the regime include those in the healthcare and eldercare sector, as well as those in settings with children 12 years and below.
Additionally, workers in F&B establishments, gyms and fitness studios, personal care services, and the public service, are required to take the ARTs.
These settings are those where workers have to interact with vulnerable segments of the population, or with customers in higher risk mask-off settings.
The government also urges all employers to facilitate vaccination for employees to ensure a safe workplace and environment through a fully vaccinated workforce.
Increased accessibility to vaccinations
As of Aug. 12, 84 per cent of seniors above the age of 60 have completed both doses of the vaccine, while 89 per cent have received at least one dose.
However, more than 115,000 seniors aged 60 and over remain unvaccinated, said MOH.
The government will continue to step up efforts to encourage these seniors to get vaccinated.
The number of Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) offering Covid-19 vaccinations will be increased from 44 to over 60 by the end of the month.
This is to make it easier for individuals to receive their vaccine. The full list of participating PHPCs can be found here.
From Aug. 10, all Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, and Long-Term Pass holders aged 12 years old will also be able to walk in to any of the vaccination sites offering the Pfizer BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment.
No appointments for vaccination are required at polyclinics or participating PHPCs as well.
In addition, vaccinations will soon by opened up to groups of Short-Term Pass Holders who are in Singapore for long periods of time.
Eligible persons will be notified directly by MOH via SMS from Aug. 18.
Follow and listen to our podcast here
Top photo from YapSeng Lim / Google Maps