Differentiated measures for fully vaccinated persons to kick in soon

Singapore

FULLY vaccinated persons will soon enjoy differentiated safe management measures including larger social gathering group sizes, said the multi-ministry taskforce on Wednesday, when it also confirmed the list of updated measures that will kick in from next week.

These measures include increasing the cap on dine-ins and the resumption of wedding receptions and work gatherings. In addition, gyms and fitness studios may conduct indoor mask-off activities in group sizes of up to five persons.

The next milestone will be when 50 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

This is expected to happen around the week of July 26, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, adding that about 39 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. About 65 per cent have received their first dose.

When that target is hit, social gathering group sizes may increase to 8 persons.

Meanwhile, cinemas, congregational worship, Mice events, live performances, spectator sports and wedding solemnisations could see a doubling in the group size (that is, up to 500 persons) for fully vaccinated persons. Higher-risk indoor mask-off activities would also see differentiated guidelines for groups of five, versus eight for unvaccinated and vaccinated persons.

While work-from-home will continue to remain the default, more may be allowed to return to the workplace based on the percentage of total employees who are fully vaccinated.

Notably, this 50 per cent figure does not take into account recipients of the Sinovac vaccine. The national vaccination numbers reflect only those vaccinated under the national vaccination programme which currently comprises Moderna Covid-19 and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines.

Asked why these people - some 17,000 - are not included in the count, Kenneth Mak, Singapore's director of medical services, said that there is "little data concerning the efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine, specifically against the variants of concern".

Mr Ong qualified, however, that with a higher proportion of fully vaccinated persons, the guidelines can afford to be more "inclusive".

"When we reach 50 per cent vaccine coverage - two doses - I think we still need to differentiate. But once we reach a higher level of vaccine coverage, we will have stronger herd protection, which means this vaccine's effectiveness may be less of a factor," he said.

"In time, we should be able to be more inclusive in allowing vaccinated people, some partially vaccinated, or some unvaccinated people to participate in bigger events."

Meanwhile, the government is taking progressive steps to ease border measures, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

"We are very mindful that there are affected industries, construction, marine offshore engineering being the most affected. We are already finding different ways to bring in workers for these sectors in a safe manner."

"We are (also) looking more broadly at reopening our borders... synchronised with our rate of vaccination and with our reopening plans.

"We're not talking about something that's happening many months down the road but in several weeks time, we will be able to progressively re-open our borders (and) allow more travel. I think that will help businesses who are looking for workers too."

Separately, the Fast and Easy Tests (FETs) for staff in higher-risk settings will be made mandatory from July 15. These include staff at dine-in F&B establishments, and those in personal care services such as facial and nail services, spas/saunas, massage establishments, hairdressing, and make-up services, as well as gyms and fitness studios where clients are unmasked.

The sale of over-the-counter antigen rapid tests will be extended to more general retailers from July 16. The restriction that caps sales at 10 kits per individual will also be lifted.

Updated measures as of July 12

• Groups of up to five can dine-in at F&B establishments.
• Wedding receptions of up to 250 persons allowed with pre-event testing (PET). For 50 persons or less, PET is required for the wedding party only.
• Indoor high-intensity mask-off activities allowed for up to five persons. Class size of up to 50 persons or the capacity limit of the venue.
• Work-from-home remains the default but social gatherings allowed at the workplace.

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