1. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) yesterday announced an expansion of Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) to protect unvaccinated individuals and reduce the strain on our healthcare system. With effect from 13 October 2021, VDS must be implemented for entry into shopping malls and large standalone stores1. This means that only fully vaccinated persons2 will be allowed to enter these premises.
2. We are aware of concerns raised by the public with regard to the need for some unvaccinated individuals to access medical and childcare related services in the malls. Provisions will be made to allow for access to these services.
3. We would like to assure members of the public that the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) are working closely with mall operators to allow tenants, mall operators, and the public to familiarise themselves with the new processes and checks. To facilitate this, there will be a grace period of one week for VDS in malls to be implemented, from 13 October 2021 to 19 October 2021. MTI and ESG will provide more details in an advisory which will be issued before 13 October 2021.
4. We seek everyone’s support to observe safe management measures and cooperate with the malls as they implement the VDS. This will help lower transmission risks and slow down the pace of community infections in this Stabilisation Phase.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
2 OCTOBER 2021
[1] These refer to standalone stores > 930 sqm (or 10,000 sqft) of Gross Floor Area.
[2] Children aged 12 years and below, recovered individuals and unvaccinated persons with a valid negative pre-event test (PET) result are also allowed to enter these premises.