Singapore shortens isolation period for Covid-infected, vaccinated individuals from 10 to 7 days

SINGAPORE is shortening the maximum isolation period for fully vaccinated individuals who test positive for Covid-19 to 7 days, from 10, given the shorter infectious period of the Omicron variant, the Republic's Covid-19 multi-ministry taskforce said on Friday (Jan 21).

This applies to cases that fall under both protocols 1 and 2, as well as to children below 12.

Protocol 1 applies to those who are unwell and who may have seen a doctor and been assessed as "high risk". The isolation period for this group was previously 10 days if vaccinated and 14 if unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

Protocol 2 applies to asymptomatic positive cases. The isolation period for this group was previously a minimum of 72 hours, with the ability to exit isolation upon a negative test or after either day 10 or 14 - depending on vaccination status.

For unvaccinated individuals aged 12 and above, however, the maximum isolation period will remain at 14 days for both protocols.

"These arrangements have worked well in ensuring that medical resources go to those who need them the most, and enabling patients to return to normal activity as soon as possible once it is safe for them to do so," the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement.

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MOH is also expanding the age bracket for Protocol 2 to include children aged 5 to 11, regardless of their vaccination status.

"We urge those with non-emergency conditions, including children, to avoid seeking treatment at hospitals and to consult their primary care doctor instead," MOH said.

Those who test positive on an unsupervised antigen rapid test (ART) and identify themselves as potentially at risk, however, should still see a doctor even if they feel well, the ministry added.

Meanwhile, patients who are on Protocol 1 and who are recovering well will now be allowed to transit smoothly to Protocol 2.

This means they can be discharged earlier than 7 days if they test negative on a self-administered ART taken 72 hours or more after their first positive Covid-19 test.

MOH said these changes will be progressively rolled out, such that Protocol 2 can be applied to all low-risk, asymptomatic individuals who are in Protocol 1 settings, such as Covid-19 treatment facilities, as well as those who have tested positive for pre-departure tests, pre-event testing, rostered routine testing and mandatory traveller tests.

"These changes enable us to deal more nimbly with Omicron and minimise disruption to normal activities for fully vaccinated and boosted persons even as case numbers continue to rise," MOH said.

The Covid-19 taskforce has warned that a "significant wave" of Omicron cases is likely to come soon, with infection numbers set to continue rising into early February, during the Chinese New Year festivities.

"It is very likely that the peak of the Omicron wave will exceed previous peaks seen in the Delta wave," said taskforce co-chair and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, adding that Singapore could see 20,000 to 25,000 cases a day.

Noting that the safe-management measures will stay for now, fellow co-chair and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said: "The safe management measures we have put in place will help to lower the risk of transmission and reduce the stress on our healthcare system."

Gan nevertheless warned that a significant proportion of the workforce may be infected with Covid-19 as Singapore rides the Omicron wave.

"If we have, for example, 15,000 cases a day, which is very possible, with each one of them out of action for an average of about 5 days, we are looking at some 75,000 workers absent due to Covid-19," he said.

"This has been the experience of other countries and we cannot take it lightly."

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