RESETTING OUR MEASURES TO LIVE WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT

    We are in the midst of an Omicron wave, and seeing up to about 20,000 daily cases. This is within our expectations, given the high transmissibility of Omicron. However, our high vaccination and booster rates, along with vaccination-differentiated Safe Management Measures (SMMs), have been effective in keeping the number of severe cases low, and our healthcare capacity available to treat the severely ill currently remains sufficient. 

2.  In the coming weeks, daily case numbers may rise even further before peaking, and may remain moderately high for some time before coming down. We will continue to closely monitor the capacity of our healthcare system, and prepare for further surges in infections. During this period, our strategy remains to safeguard our healthcare capacity and focus resources on managing severe cases and protecting vulnerable patients. In line with this, we will continue to suspend in-person visits to hospitals and residential care homes for an additional four weeks.

3.  We will also further simplify our existing healthcare protocols, workplace testing requirements, and SMMs, so that everyone can understand the rules, focus on the measures that matter, and do our part in making sure our measures remain effective:

a.  More age groups of patients to be managed by primary care physicians under Protocol 2 if they exhibit mild symptoms; 

b.  Shorter monitoring duration and simplified testing requirements for those under Protocol 3 (i.e. close contacts of COVID-19 cases);

c.  Focusing the Mandatory Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) on sectors where there are interactions with vulnerable population as well as the provision of essential services; 

d.  Streamlining the SMMs to a set of five core parameters, so that it will be easier for everyone to comply with them on a daily basis; and 

e.  Simplifying our country/region classification and streamlining our border testing measures given the reduced impact of imported cases

4.  These measures will allow us to respond nimbly to changes in the pandemic situation in the coming months, including to  ease measures when the Omicron wave eventually subside, or tighten up should there be another unknown new variant. 

Updates on Local Situation

5.  Over the past week, daily case numbers have remained high, at an average of around 11,000 cases. The large majority of our cases continue to have mild or no symptoms. The number of cases which are hospitalised is around 1,400, of which about 30% are ‘incidental cases’, (i.e. they were hospitalised due to other illness but subsequently tested to be COVID-19 positive).  Meanwhile, hospitals are also increasing bed capacity to care for severe COVID-19 cases, while ensuring that care for non-COVID-19 patients are not compromised. About 70 of our hospitalised patients are children under 12 years old. The infection rates for children aged 0 to 4 years and those aged 5 to 11 years are currently high at about 243 and 258 per 100,000 population respectively. Individuals aged 12 to 19 years have the highest infection rate of about 269 per 100,000 population.

6.  Aside from standing up more beds for children in our public and private hospitals, we are also actively converting beds in our COVID-19 Treatment Facilities for children and their caregivers. The proportion of severe COVID-19 infections and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19 infection (MIS-C) cases is around 1 out of 1,000 paediatric infection cases. Vaccination of children will help lower the risk of such episodes. 

7.  The overall situation in our healthcare system remains stable. 23 cases are currently in ICU care, and 140 require oxygen supplementation. In the past 28 days, 0.04% and 0.3% of local cases required ICU care or oxygen supplementation respectively. 

Continued Efforts to Safeguard our Healthcare System and Right-Site Patients

Extended Suspension of In-Person Visits to Hospitals and Residential Care Homes 

8.  We had previously suspended in-person visits to all hospital wards[1] and residential care homes (‘Homes’) for a period of four weeks through to 20 February 2022. As it remains crucial that we protect our healthcare capacity and vulnerable groups, the suspension of in-persons visits will be extended for a further four weeks, from 21 February to 20 March 2022 (both dates inclusive), with a mid-point review after two weeks. Hospitals and Homes have the discretion to allow visits for exceptional cases (e.g. if the patient or resident is critically ill). These visitors will continue to be subject to visitor management measures (see Annex A for details). Hospitals and Homes will also continue to support alternative methods of communication such as through telephone or video calls to ensure that patients and residents remain connected with their loved ones. 

In-situ Recovery for Selected Nursing Home Residents

9.  Currently, nursing home residents infected with COVID-19 are moved from the nursing homes to recover at separate care facilities. However, the majority of Omicron cases in nursing homes were mildly symptomatic and generally did not require the level of medical care provided at hospitals or dedicated COVID-19 care facilities. Also, moving away from a familiar environment can be distressing to nursing home residents and disruptive to their holistic care. Hence, from 16 February 2022, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) will progressively support nursing homes to care for their fully vaccinated COVID-19 residents who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic within their premises, but isolated from the other uninfected residents. This will allow generally well residents with COVID-19 infection to recover safely under the care of their nursing home provider who is also most familiar with their needs. Residents assessed to be at higher risk, or who show signs of clinical deterioration, will continue to be conveyed to an appropriate care facility for further management.

Revised Healthcare Protocols 

Expanded Application of Protocol 2 to More Patient Groups

10.  Among patients infected since January 2022, the vast majority from most age groups have mild symptoms and can recover safely on their own. Even amongst the seniors, the incidence of severe illnesses have been low.  For example, amongst seniors aged 60 to 69 years who were infected, only about 0.5% of fully vaccinated and 1.8% of non-fully vaccinated patients were treated as severe cases. Amongst vaccinated seniors aged 70 to 79 years, 1.2% fell severely ill after being infected. 4.5% of 3 to 4-year olds who attended Emergency Departments (EDs) required admission and less than 1% of them on Home Recovery Programme were escalated to the telemedicine providers for further management.

11.  Hence, from 16 February 2022, all patients aged 3 to 69 years, regardless of vaccination status, and fully vaccinated[2] patients aged 70 to 79 years old can be managed by their primary care doctors under Protocol 2[3]. This is an expansion of the current age band, which applies to fully vaccinated patients aged 5 to 69 years, and non-fully vaccinated patients aged 5 to 49 years. Patients falling outside of these age brackets will continue to be managed by MOH, either through the Home Recovery Programme or at a care facility such as a COVID-19 Treatment Facility or a hospital. This will further right-site the care of COVID-19 patients and ensure that our healthcare capacity is preserved for those who require acute care. A summary of the revised management approach for COVID-19 patients for different age groups is in Annex B.

12.  With the above changes, individuals under Protocol 2 with non-emergency conditions, including children, are strongly advised to avoid seeking treatment at the EDs of hospitals and to consult their primary care doctors or telemedicine providers should they require any medical assistance. Individuals with non-emergency conditions turning up at EDs may be diverted to other urgent care clinics for further assessment, so as to prioritise ED resources for patients requiring acute care. Individuals may also be diverted for admission to COVID-19 Treatment Facilities for further monitoring of their medical condition, as long as they do not require hospitalisation.

Changes to Protocol 3 for Close Contacts 

13.  Currently, close contacts of positive cases identified by MOH (i.e. under Protocol 1 or Protocol 2 managed by primary care doctors) are placed on Protocol 3. These individuals are issued with a Health Risk Warning (HRW) lasting 7 days from the day of its issuance, with an ART-based daily self-testing regime imposed should they wish to leave their place of residence. However, close contacts of cases who self-test positive (i.e. under Protocol 2) are not able to be identified and are thus not issued the HRW.  

14.  Therefore from 18 February 2022, we will introduce two key changes to Protocol 3.  First, it will be changed from an order to an advisory, with the Health Risk Notice (HRN) replacing the Health Risk Warning (HRW) for close contacts identified by MOH under Protocol 3.  Persons issued with HRN can continue to obtain their ART test kits through designated vending machines, to facilitate their self-testing during the monitoring period[4].  Second, the recommended self-monitoring period will be reduced from 7 days to 5 days, as individuals infected with the Omicron variant have been shown to have a shorter incubation period. That said, those who have already received HRWs should still complete their existing monitoring periods[5].  

15.  Regardless of whether one receives a HRN from MOH, all persons who are aware of their recent exposure to a case should be socially responsible and follow Protocol 3. They should moderate their social activities, monitor their health and self-test with ART before leaving home for that day, especially if they are going to crowded places or are coming into contact with vulnerable individuals.

Streamlining the Rostered Routine Testing Regime 

16.  Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) was first introduced in dormitories and higher risk workplaces in August 2020. Over time, we have expanded it to cover more higher-risk work settings[6], and shifted towards an ART-based RRT. 

17.  The RRT regime had served as an important part of our strategy to facilitate early detection and containment of transmission in the community. Testing continues to be an essential response to COVID-19. However, we are in a different situation today and our testing strategy needs to evolve. Our high vaccination coverage and the implementation of Vaccination-Differentiated SMMs (VDS) offer good protection to the workforce from severe disease due to COVID-19 infection. The high transmissibility and shorter incubation period of the Omicron variant have also meant a reduction in the effectiveness of RRT in containing community transmission. Furthermore, we have shifted our focus towards protecting the vulnerable population and managing severe cases.

18.  Therefore, from 18 February 2022, we will streamline the RRT regime to focus only on settings catering to vulnerable groups (i.e. healthcare sector, eldercare sector, and settings with children below 5 years old[7]) and selected essential services sectors[8],[9]. Other sectors which are currently on RRT will no longer be required to continue testing from 18 February 2022.

19.  Even as we move to streamline RRT to those in vulnerable settings, we urge individuals to continue to exercise personal responsibility and conduct regular self-testing, especially prior to visiting crowded places or interacting with vulnerable groups during this period. Companies that have remaining kits that were already distributed to them for RRT are strongly encouraged to continue testing until the test kits are fully utilised.

Updates on Community Safe Management Measures 

20.  As we continue to transition to a COVID-19 resilient nation, we will simplify and rationalise our COVID-19 rules, which have accumulated over time and become overly complex.  

21.  This rationalisation and simplification is important. Responding to COVID-19 requires everyone to do their part. We can facilitate this by making rules less complicated and burdensome to remember. This will also lay the foundation for us to resume normal activities once the Omicron wave peaks and starts to subside. 

22.  We will rationalise the SMMs to focus on the five most important and effective measures, making them simpler to understand and comply with:  

a.  Group sizes;
b.  Mask-wearing;
c.  Workplace requirements;
d.  Safe distancing; and
e.  Capacity limits.

23.  From 25 February 2022 (unless otherwise stated below), we will implement the following streamlined SMMs (see Annex C). More details are provided in the sections as follows. 

Group Sizes

24.  For now, the permissible group size for social gatherings remains at 5 persons. The maximum number of unique visitors per household will be adjusted from 5 persons per day, to 5 persons at any one time.  

Mask-Wearing

25.  Mask-wearing will continue to be required as a default. There are no new exceptions. 

Workplace Requirements

26.  We will maintain the current posture of allowing up to 50% of employees who can work from home to return to the office. As part of the streamlining of rules, workplace requirements will now be aligned with those for the community SMMs. For instance, workers who have their masks on will not need to maintain 1 metre safe distancing in the workplace. Social gatherings at workplaces will be allowed to resume with up to 5 persons for each social gathering. There will be no restrictions on cross-deployment of employees across workplaces, although employers may continue to do so for business continuity reasons. 

Safe Distancing

27.  Safe distancing is encouraged but will not be required between individuals or  groups in all mask-on settings. Safe distancing will continue to be required for all mask-off settings. Where safe distancing is required, the distance will be streamlined to a single safe distance of 1 metre for all settings.

Capacity Limits 

28.  Instead of fixing size limits for various event types, we will move to setting event sizes based on the capacity of the venue. Hence, from 4 March 2022, we will lift specific event size limits for events such as religious services, business events, media conferences, funerary memorial events, wedding receptions, and mask-on classes[10].  Zoning requirements will also be removed, as the main protection is through masks and vaccinations.  

29.  However, for large events and settings which pose more infection risks, we will impose capacity limits, as a precaution. These will include attractions, cruises, MICE and large work-related events, as well as large performing arts venues or sports stadiums. For other settings such as shopping malls and large standalone stores, the current density limit of 10sqm/pax roughly translates to 50% capacity too. For now, we will set the threshold at 1,000 pax. This means that:

a.  For smaller settings/events with ≤1,000 pax, they can proceed without being subject to any capacity limit.  
b.  For larger settings/events with >1,000 pax and are mask-on[11], they would be subject to a capacity limit of 50%. For mask-off events, they would be required to comply with the 1 metre safe distancing requirement and prevailing group size, which will already serve to limit capacity.

See Annex D for the list of settings/events covered.

Adjustments to VDS

30.  From 25 February 2022, unvaccinated children aged 12 years and below (i.e. born in 2010 or later) need not be from the same household to be included within a group entering premises or participating in activities with VDS.

Resuming Sports 

31.  The main driver of COVID-19 transmission has been prolonged close contact with infected persons, such as when eating together. There has been no compelling evidence showing that transient contact while playing sports leads to infections.  Conversely, two years of SMMs have taken its toll on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of our people, especially the young. 

32.  With the rationalisation of SMMs, from 25 February 2022, all sports will be allowed to proceed with up to 30 fully vaccinated persons (including players, coaches, umpires etc) , at supervised/operated sports facilities (e.g. ActiveSG facilities and approved private facilities). The prevailing SMMs will apply before and after the sport activity, and during rest breaks. No additional testing requirement will be imposed as long as all participants are fully vaccinated, but participants are strongly encouraged to self-test before arriving for the sports activity, and to stay home if they test positive or develop symptoms. 

33.  For all the updates on community SMMs above, relevant agencies will provide more details on the requirements specific to their sector.

Updates to Border Measures

Streamlining of Country/Region Classification and Border Measures

34.  To date, our border measures such as pre-departure testing and Stay-Home Notice (SHN) had been aimed at controlling the number of imported cases. As Singapore’s incidence rate is now comparable with most overseas destinations, imported cases are unlikely to affect the trajectory of local cases. Our focus has thus shifted to facilitating inflows from travellers who are less likely to become severely ill and burden our healthcare capacity while they are in Singapore. As vaccination offers good protection against severe disease, we will continue to work towards allowing SHN-free travel for all fully vaccinated travellers.  

35.  To better position ourselves to do so, we will begin by streamlining the country/region classification. The existing Categories II, III, and IV will be combined into a single General Travel category. Fully vaccinated travellers arriving via Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements can continue to enjoy quarantine-free border measures. For now, all travellers from Category I countries/regions, which have very low infection rates, will continue to enjoy quarantine-free travel arrangements as well[12]. We will also create a new Restrictedcategory for countries/regions with developing COVID-19 situations that warrant stricter border measures imposed on arrivals. Under our revised classification, we would start with no Restricted countries/regions.

36.  In tandem, we will simplify border measures for travellers arriving from 21 February 2022, 2359 hours, as follows: 

a.  Travel history requirement will be reduced from 14 to 7 days; 

b.  SHN duration will be standardised to 7 days across all country/region categories in view of Omicron’s shorter incubation period; 

c.  Enhanced testing regime for travellers arriving on VTLs will be ceased;

d.  VTL and Category I travellers will no longer need to perform an on-arrival PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test.  Instead, they will have up to 24 hours from their entry into Singapore to take a supervised self-swab (SSS) ART[13] at one of the testing centres located across Singapore; and

e.  Vaccinated Long-Term Pass Holders[14](except Work Permit holders) will no longer have to obtain a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) or an Entry Approval to enter Singapore. They will still need to adhere to border health measures on entry. Please refer to Annex E for more details.    

f.  To further facilitate vaccinated travel, we will restore and progressively increase VTL quotas. VTL (Air) quotas will be fully restored with immediate effect. VTL (Land) quotas will be fully restored from 22 February 2022 (sales for additional bus tickets will commence on 16 February 2022). 

 Restoring and Expanding Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL)

37.  A new VTL with Hong Kong and the previously deferred VTLs with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will also be launched. VTP applications for travel from these four countries/regions will open on 22 February 2022, 1000 hours, and the first VTL flights will take place from 25 February 2022. We will progressively launch VTLs with more destinations as we move towards facilitating fully vaccinated travel. 

38.  Bi-directional quarantine-free sea travel between Singapore and Indonesia will resume with the launch of VTL (Sea) from Bintan and Batam. The VTL (Sea) will benefit users of Indonesia’s travel bubble to specific resorts in Bintan and Batam and facilitate short-term leisure travel. VTP applications will open on 22 February 2022, 1000 hours, and the first ferry trip will take place on 25 February 2022. 

39.  The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will provide further details for VTL(Air), VTL(Land) and VTL(Sea) respectively. We will continue to monitor the global COVID-19 situation and adjust our border measures in tandem with our roadmap to becoming a COVID-resilient nation.

40.  The updated classification and associated border requirements can be found in Annex F and on the SafeTravel website. Travellers are advised to visit the website to check the latest border measures for the associated country or region before entering Singapore, and be prepared to adhere to the prevailing border measures upon entry into Singapore.

Riding through the Omicron Wave

41.  Our current measures serve as important safeguards to protect our healthcare system during this period as we continue to lead our daily lives normally. To ride out this wave safely, it remains key that we get our vaccination and booster doses promptly when offered, comply with existing safe management measures, and exercise personal responsibility to self-test before visiting crowded places or interacting with vulnerable groups such as seniors or children. Those who are tested positive should follow the latest health protocols. Patients should refrain from seeking medical attention at the EDs if they have only mild symptoms, so that EDs can focus on taking care of acutely ill patients. Only then can we emerge stronger to resume our transition towards safe re-opening and living with COVID-19.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH 
16 FEBRUARY 2022