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).
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.
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.
From Feb 1, new long-term passes, work passes, as well as permanent residence will only be issued to vaccinated people. Vaccination will also be required when renewing existing work passes.
To support the increased number of employees returning to their workplace from 2022, a second round of voluntary distribution of antigen rapid test (ART) kits will be conducted for workplaces.
“Firms with employees that work onsite and are not already subject to mandatory routine rostered testing may apply for 8 ART kits per onsite vaccinated employee for weekly testing over a two-month period, if they require the funding support,” MOH said.
Applications will open from Jan 3 to Jan 31, the ministry said, adding that more details will be announced soon.
All firms are encouraged to implement regular testing for employees, to help detect COVID-19 infections early, it said.
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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.
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.
From Feb 1, new long-term passes, work passes, as well as permanent residence will only be issued to vaccinated people. Vaccination will also be required when renewing existing work passes.
To support the increased number of employees returning to their workplace from 2022, a second round of voluntary distribution of antigen rapid test (ART) kits will be conducted for workplaces.
“Firms with employees that work onsite and are not already subject to mandatory routine rostered testing may apply for 8 ART kits per onsite vaccinated employee for weekly testing over a two-month period, if they require the funding support,” MOH said.
Applications will open from Jan 3 to Jan 31, the ministry said, adding that more details will be announced soon.
All firms are encouraged to implement regular testing for employees, to help detect COVID-19 infections early, it said.
Continue reading...