The Ministry of Health (MOH) will resume in-person visits to all hospital wards1 and residential care homes (‘Homes’) from 4 April 2022.
2. MOH had earlier announced the suspension of in-person visits to hospitals and Homes until 3 April 2022 (inclusive). As the daily number of local COVID-19 cases has fallen, and the situation in our hospitals and Homes is starting to improve, in-person visits to hospital wards and Homes will resume from 4 April 2022.
3. As hospitals and Homes are settings with vulnerable patients/residents, visitors will have to comply with the safe management measures (SMMs) to better protect the patient/resident.
4. In-person visits are only allowed for individuals (i.e. patients, residents and visitors) who are fully vaccinated. As a concession, we will allow visits for individuals (i.e. patients, residents and visitors) who are medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Under exceptional circumstances, hospitals and Homes may also exercise flexibility in their visitor policies on a case-by-case basis. More details can be found in the Annex.
5. We understand the past months have been difficult for patients/residents, and their family members and loved ones as in-person visits were suspended, and thank everyone for their understanding. We seek their continued cooperation to comply with the SMMs to keep patients/ residents safe as in-person visits are resumed. MOH will review and calibrate these measures as the situation evolves.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
31 MARCH 2022