Masks no longer required on public transport from Feb 13 as Singapore moves to Dorscon green
SINGAPORE - Singapore will lift its remaining Covid-19 restrictions like requiring masks on public transport from Monday, when the country adjusts its disease outbreak response to the lowest level.
The lowering of the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) from yellow to green comes as the global and local pandemic situation is stable, and the disease is mild especially among vaccinated individuals, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday, noting that Covid-19 currently poses minimal disruption to healthcare capacity and people.
However, MOH will still require mask-wearing for visitors, staff and patients in healthcare and residential care settings such as hospital wards, clinics and nursing homes, where there is interaction with patients, said the multi-ministry task force handling Covid-19 at a press conference.
5 things you need to know as S’pore lifts Covid-19 rules
Here are the things you need to know about the changes:
1. No masks required on public transport
From Feb 13, commuters will no longer need to wear masks when taking public transport.
However, the Health Ministry will still require visitors, staff and patients in healthcare and residential care settings to wear masks when interacting with patients. These include hospital wards, clinics and nursing homes
Other authorities, such as the Singapore Food Agency, for instance, may still require food handlers to wear a mask or spit guard.
Businesses may also opt to maintain mask-wearing as part of their company policy for workplace health and safety or business continuity.
Since Aug 29, 2022, masks have not been required in most indoor settings
2. Covid-19 vaccines remain free
Covid-19 vaccinations and oral antivirals will continue to be free for those eligible.
All Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders and some short-term pass holders will not need to pay for vaccines under the National Vaccination Programme.
Covid-19 vaccinations and Covid-19 oral antivirals will continue to be fully subsidised for clinically eligible public hospital patients and nursing home residents until further notice.
3. Treatment and testing no longer fully subsidised
Treatment for those with the virus - regardless of their vaccination status - at hospitals or Covid-19 Treatment Facilities will no longer be fully subsidised.
People with Covid-19 will no longer need to stay in Community Isolation Facilities, just as they are not required to do so for other endemic diseases like influenza or chicken pox.
Some of these facilities will remain open for people who want to self-isolate, but they will be charged for their stay.
As these facilities are not classed as medical facilities, citizens and permanent residents will not be able to tap government subsidies, MediShield Life or MediSave to pay their bills.
All patients will be required to pay for any Covid-19 testing.
From Feb 13, protocols for those who tested positive for the virus will also be scrapped, but residents are advised to exercise social responsibility.
Persons infected with Covid-19 should follow the updated general advisory for people with acute respiratory infection symptoms
4. TraceTogether and SafeEntry no longer required
The Government will no longer require infected persons to submit TraceTogether data.
SafeEntry data is no longer being collected and the Health Ministry has deleted all identifiable TraceTogether and SafeEntry data from its servers and databases.
A TraceTogether token return exercise will take place from Feb 13 to March 12. Members of the public can return their tokens at all 108 community clubs
5. Unvaccinated travellers entering do not need proof of pre-departure test
From Feb 13, all travellers who are not fully vaccinated and entering Singapore will no longer need to show proof of a negative pre-departure test
Short-term visitors who are not fully vaccinated will no longer have to purchase Covid-19 travel insurance.
