From January 15th unvaccinated people to be barred from returning to workplaces:MOH

[ASEAN NOW News]

File photo of a COVID-19 test kit. (Photo: iStock)

 

SINGAPORE: Unvaccinated workers will no longer be allowed to return to the workplace from Jan 15, even if they have a negative pre-event testing (PET) result, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday (Dec 26).

 

According to CNA, the ministry had said in October that unvaccinated people would not be allowed to enter the workplace from January 2022, unless they had tested negative for COVID-19.

 

“Following the review and discussion with tripartite partners, we have decided to remove the PET concession for unvaccinated persons to return to the workplace from Jan 15, 2022,” said MOH in a press release issued at 11pm.

 

Grace period

 

Partially vaccinated workers – those who have taken at least one dose of vaccine but are not yet fully vaccinated –will be granted a grace period until Jan 31 to complete the vaccination regime, the ministry said.

 

During the grace period, they can enter their workplace with a negative PET result.

 

"This change will help to protect unvaccinated individuals and to create safer workplaces for everyone," MOH said.

 

Vaccination also will be a condition for the approval or grant of new long-term passes, work passes, as well as permanent residence from Feb 1 next year. 

 

Vaccination will also be required when renewing existing work passes.

 

Employers’ declaration

 

At the point of application, MOH said employers of work pass holders will be required to make a declaration that their employees and their dependents are fully vaccinated upon arrival in Singapore.

 

Pass holders will have to verify their certificates by uploading them to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority’s (ICA) Vaccination Check Portal system. Those without digitally verifiable certificates will have to present their certificates to airlines, ferry operators or at the checkpoint before boarding.

 

Those unable to produce the necessary documentation will be denied boarding or entry into Singapore unless prior exemptions have been granted. 

 

After arriving in Singapore, these workers must update their vaccination records in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR). They will be given 30 days upon arrival to undergo and show a positive serology test result taken at a Public Health Preparedness Clinic.

 

Should they test negative, they will be required to complete the full vaccination regimen in Singapore or face revocation of their passes, said MOH. 

 

Those who are under 12 years old are exempt from this vaccination condition, while those aged twelve to below 18 years old must make a declaration to complete the full COVID-19 vaccination regimen after arriving in Singapore.

 

Pass holders who are medically ineligible for vaccination must submit a doctor's memo at the point of application and undergo a medical review upon arriving in the country.

 

For new permanent residence (PR), long-term visit pass (LTVP) and student’s pass (STP) applications, the vaccination status of applicants will be verified during the pass issuance process. Their vaccination records will have to be updated in the NIR.

 

Those who are not registered in the NIR will have to complete the full vaccination regimen in Singapore to fulfil the vaccination condition before they can be granted PR or long-term passes.

 

Children under the age of twelve, as well as those medically ineligible for vaccination, will be exempt from this requirement.