Singapore has reported 62,913 cases of Covid-19 as of July 16. At a virtual press conference on Friday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told reporters that 73% of the population had received at least one dose of a vaccine, and 45% are fully vaccinated.
Based on vaccination appointments, that figure is likely to rise to 50% sometime next week, he added. He said the country is “well on track” to meet its target of having two-thirds of its population to be fully vaccinated by August 9, it is National Day.
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Singapore Announces Differentiated Covid Measures
Singapore has been introducing some new measures for the covid outside dining that can be in effect for some period of time. Only fully vaccinated individuals and people who have recovered from Covid-19 will be able to dine in groups of five without taking Covid tests when the new rules kick in on July 19, the health ministry said in a press release on Friday.
These food and beverage outlets must put systems in place to check the vaccination status of their customers. Unvaccinated people have to take antigen rapid tests to join in groups of five for meals. Dining in will otherwise be limited to groups of two.
Children under the age of 12, who cannot receive vaccinations yet, can dine together with members of their household without taking a Covid test. These groups are also capped at five. Singapore considers individuals fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
Authorities previously said those who receive shots developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech would not be granted the same perks as those who have been inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Sinovac’s vaccine has not been included in Singapore’s national vaccine program and is only available in the city-state through a special access route.
Phase of Changing Over to COVID-19 Resistance
The resumption of our adjustment to life with COVID-19 requires cautious and measured action. We’re asking for everyone’s help in order to:
- Do the right thing and work with the SMMs.
- If our COVID-19 tests come back positive, please follow the standard health procedures, such as staying home to rest and seeing your primary care doctors if necessary.
- Unless absolutely necessary, please refrain from visiting the emergency rooms so that we can keep hospital resources available for people who need immediate medical attention.
- When possible, get vaccinated and boosted.
- These will help keep things steady, allowing us to gradually get back to our regular social and economic routines.
- The MTF will keep an eye on the spread of COVID-19 and may relax restrictions so that certain normal operations can resume.
- Masks are optional everywhere except hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, adult foster care facilities, group homes for the developmentally disabled, and group homes for the elderly and disabled. To learn more, please visit this link.
- Masks are no longer required in the workplace, but they are still recommended for use in crowded public spaces or when interacting with the elderly, young children, or the disabled.
- The use of masks is mandated in all enclosed areas of these buildings, including any shops or restaurants housed within.
- Workforce Vaccination Measures have been lifted.
- All employees may return to their regular places of employment.
Unmasking is permitted in healthcare facilities, residential care homes (including welfare and sheltered homes for the aged, and adult disability homes), ambulances, and public transportation, where mask-wearing is still required, when one is not interacting physically with others and when not in customer-facing areas.
