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Government has imposed Code Red measures without calling the situation Code Red
- Thread starter LaoTze
- Start date
from straitstimes.com:
MPs to ask about digital vaccine passport system, vaccination priority groups at next Parliament sitting
SINGAPORE - Singapore's vaccination programme will feature prominently when Parliament sits on Monday (April 5), with MPs asking about digital vaccine passports and whether other priority groups should be considered.
In all, MPs filed 16 questions related to vaccination, according to the agenda on the sitting issued by the Clerk of Parliament on Thursday.
Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok) asked if the Ministry of Health intends to measure the antibody levels of people after they have been vaccinated to assess whether they retain immunity against the virus that causes Covid-19.
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) wanted to know if a digital vaccine passport system will be used to enable residents who have been vaccinated to return to pre-Covid-19 activities.
Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) asked whether volunteers and staff at congregational and worship services can be considered as front-line workers and prioritised for vaccination.
Other questions include the redemption rate of SingapoRediscovers vouchers and whether their expiry deadline could be extended, and how many build-to-order flats have been delayed due to the pandemic.
Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai asked for the actions taken in the case of an Indian composer who had claimed to have written a song that was nearly identical to the National Day song Count On Me Singapore.
Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) asked if the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth regularly checks the media and the Internet for possible infringements of the country's national symbols and the number of copyright infringements uncovered to date.
Five Bills will be introduced, including the Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Bill. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat had announced during the Budget that the Government plans to issue up to $90 billion new bonds under a proposed Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Act to finance major long-term infrastructure that will benefit both current and future generations.
The House will also debate the Postal Services (Amendment) Bill, which will empower the authorities to install and manage a national parcel locker network.
Suggested amendments to the Postal Services Act would allow the Infocomm Media Development Authority to spell out offences, enforce the new rules and require building owners and developers to provide space for the lockers, among other things.
Parliament will also be asked to approve a total of US$20.57 million (S$27.7 million) towards international efforts to help low-income countries deal with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
MPs to ask about digital vaccine passport system, vaccination priority groups at next Parliament sitting
SINGAPORE - Singapore's vaccination programme will feature prominently when Parliament sits on Monday (April 5), with MPs asking about digital vaccine passports and whether other priority groups should be considered.
In all, MPs filed 16 questions related to vaccination, according to the agenda on the sitting issued by the Clerk of Parliament on Thursday.
Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok) asked if the Ministry of Health intends to measure the antibody levels of people after they have been vaccinated to assess whether they retain immunity against the virus that causes Covid-19.
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) wanted to know if a digital vaccine passport system will be used to enable residents who have been vaccinated to return to pre-Covid-19 activities.
Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) asked whether volunteers and staff at congregational and worship services can be considered as front-line workers and prioritised for vaccination.
Other questions include the redemption rate of SingapoRediscovers vouchers and whether their expiry deadline could be extended, and how many build-to-order flats have been delayed due to the pandemic.
Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai asked for the actions taken in the case of an Indian composer who had claimed to have written a song that was nearly identical to the National Day song Count On Me Singapore.
Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) asked if the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth regularly checks the media and the Internet for possible infringements of the country's national symbols and the number of copyright infringements uncovered to date.
Five Bills will be introduced, including the Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Bill. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat had announced during the Budget that the Government plans to issue up to $90 billion new bonds under a proposed Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Act to finance major long-term infrastructure that will benefit both current and future generations.
The House will also debate the Postal Services (Amendment) Bill, which will empower the authorities to install and manage a national parcel locker network.
Suggested amendments to the Postal Services Act would allow the Infocomm Media Development Authority to spell out offences, enforce the new rules and require building owners and developers to provide space for the lockers, among other things.
Parliament will also be asked to approve a total of US$20.57 million (S$27.7 million) towards international efforts to help low-income countries deal with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
from yahoo.com:
Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s travel bubble hopes for Singapore, Australia and beyond depend on pandemic control, vaccination rate
Hong Kong’s desire to reboot its coronavirus-ravaged tourism sector by forming air travel bubbles with seven overseas destinations could prove difficult to get off the ground, with control of the pandemic, the pace of vaccination and the choice of vaccines varying across countries.
With the fourth wave of Covid-19 showing signs of abating in Hong Kong and a vaccination drive under way, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah revealed on Monday the government had sent a new proposal to Singapore to restore a planned travel bubble while writing to six other countries about resuming talks on such plans.
A source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday the proposal touched on Hongkongers being vaccinated as a condition for joining the travel bubble scheme, a unilateral suggestion pending the Singapore government’s input.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday morning she had told her officials to look into the arrangements needed for bilateral travel.
“Of course, vaccination will facilitate the resumption of travel to a certain extent, but I’m sure you realise that when we talk about travelling, it’s a bilateral thing,” she said, adding that it was also up to the other side to ease entry for Hongkongers.
Hong Kong to lift ban on residents stranded in Britain; quarantine rules to be eased for arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
Whether vaccination would be mandatory to travel out of Hong Kong would be for the receiving side to decide, she said. If partners such as Singapore wanted Hongkongers to be inoculated before they could enter the city state, Lam said, she would have to tell residents.
With a travel-bubble mechanism between Singapore and Hong Kong in place since November last year and inoculation campaigns under way in both places, travel experts said the city state was a front-runner over other potential countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Singapore stands a good chance of coming first on the back of the existing groundwork,” said Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, chairman of the Society of IATA Passenger Agents, a coalition of the largest travel agents in Hong Kong. “Vaccination has great importance in the success of travel bubbles in addition to pandemic control.”
Tam said the tourism industry hoped to see the border with mainland China reopened first. Beijing has previously indicated the border with Hong Kong would not be restored unless the city had achieved a zero infection rate.
“The geographic extension of the Return2HK scheme is a good sign,” he said.
Under the new arrangement, the city government will allow Hongkongers returning home by air from anywhere in China to skip quarantine provided they have tested negative for Covid-19, something that previously applied only to those coming from Guangdong province and Macau.
Below, the Post reviews the pandemic status and readiness of the potential destinations and contacted their various consulates in the city for comment.
First stop Singapore?
The city and Singapore were forced at the eleventh hour in late November to put on hold their planned travel bubble because Hong Kong was hit by its fourth wave of infections. But commerce minister Yau said the city could now proceed with the plan following a decline in untraceable infections since the beginning of this month, to below the threshold of a weekly average of five cases.
Hong Kong has largely kept its fourth wave at bay, and recently logged two days with no local infections. It has a tally of 11,461 confirmed infections and 205 related deaths. But the pace of vaccination remains low, with about 6 per cent of its 7.5 million population having received at least one dose of vaccine.
Singapore has fared better, with no local infections reported for most of March.
Battered Hong Kong travel industry calls for mutual recognition of vaccines as bubble hopes soar
June Ang, a 31-year-old Singaporean entrepreneur based in Hong Kong, wants to join the travel bubble after the previous delay caused disruptions to her financial advisory business.
Ang, who is “cautiously optimistic”, said she got a Covid-19 jab just to “be on standby” when the bubble opened, as officials had hinted that vaccination would be a requirement.
“I’m monitoring the local cases in Hong Kong on a daily basis,” she said. “When the travel bubble is up, I hope to be one of the first few to book flights and save a lot of quarantine time in Singapore.”
Passengers at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Felix Wong
Japan a distant dream
A favourite destination of Hongkongers, Japan has experienced an unstable virus situation over the past three months and more people have fallen ill since the start of March. With 472,000 Covid-19 patients and more than 9,100 fatalities, the nation’s decision to turn away an estimated 600,000 visitors for the Olympic Games in Tokyo in July and a slow start on vaccinations means a travel bubble is relatively distant.
“The bubble with Hong Kong looks like it will take place at a later stage even though many Hongkongers cannot wait to travel there again,” Tam said.
The Japanese consulate in Hong Kong said a plan was “still under negotiation” and therefore it was not able to disclose details for now.
Hong Kong-Singapore air travel bubble unlikely to launch soon
The country only opened its doors for its long-term residents to return from places including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Taiwan in September last year but the scheme was suspended on Tuesday.
Japan started its vaccination programme last month, becoming one of the last countries to do so. The government delayed the roll-out to conduct more tests on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Thailand, jabs consensus needed?
Thai authorities will allow vaccinated foreigners to travel to holiday island Phuket without undergoing quarantine in July. The country is rolling out the Chinese-made Sinovac Biotech vaccine and the European-made AstraZeneca jab.
Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said any travel links Hong Kong was going to agree to would involve a consensus on vaccines. Hong Kong uses Germany’s BioNTech and mainland China’s Sinovac.
Australia, New Zealand in bubble already
The Australian consulate said its government received a letter from the Hong Kong government about future travel arrangements and the possible reconnection of travel links.
While Australia had established one travel bubble, with New Zealand, the consulate said any expansion beyond that would require “a step-by-step process underpinned by health advice”.
Existing border controls in Australia require passengers permitted to enter the country to present a negative Covid-19 test before boarding a flight while vaccinated passengers still have to go through 14 days’ quarantine upon arrival.
Australia and New Zealand have both registered very few Covid-19 cases in the past three to four months.
Hong Kong exploring ways to incentivise coronavirus vaccine take-up amid less than ideal start
Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said earlier this month his country had held “productive discussions” with Singapore over forming a travel bubble.
About 590,000 out of Australia’s population of 25 million have been vaccinated. New Zealand’s vaccination programme started last month and the authorities planned to have the 5 million population vaccinated by the end of this year.
Vietnam a no-go
All foreigners have been banned from entering the country since March 22 in response to the resurgence of Covid-19. Vietnam has a short-term travel deal with Japan which allows stays for business travellers. However, the scheme has reportedly mainly been used by diplomats since its launch in November last year.
South Korea in travel bubble talks
South Korean finance minister Hong Nam-ki said earlier this month his country was also in talks with other places to form travel bubbles, though he did not name the destinations. The Taiwanese government later said it had been in talks with South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam over such a scheme.
South Korea earlier this month announced plans to have a quarter of its 52 million population vaccinated by June. On a daily basis, there were about 300-400 new cases in March, jacking up the nation’s total to over 103,000 and more than 1,700 deaths as of March 30.
Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s travel bubble hopes for Singapore, Australia and beyond depend on pandemic control, vaccination rate
Hong Kong’s desire to reboot its coronavirus-ravaged tourism sector by forming air travel bubbles with seven overseas destinations could prove difficult to get off the ground, with control of the pandemic, the pace of vaccination and the choice of vaccines varying across countries.
With the fourth wave of Covid-19 showing signs of abating in Hong Kong and a vaccination drive under way, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah revealed on Monday the government had sent a new proposal to Singapore to restore a planned travel bubble while writing to six other countries about resuming talks on such plans.
A source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday the proposal touched on Hongkongers being vaccinated as a condition for joining the travel bubble scheme, a unilateral suggestion pending the Singapore government’s input.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday morning she had told her officials to look into the arrangements needed for bilateral travel.
“Of course, vaccination will facilitate the resumption of travel to a certain extent, but I’m sure you realise that when we talk about travelling, it’s a bilateral thing,” she said, adding that it was also up to the other side to ease entry for Hongkongers.
Hong Kong to lift ban on residents stranded in Britain; quarantine rules to be eased for arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
Whether vaccination would be mandatory to travel out of Hong Kong would be for the receiving side to decide, she said. If partners such as Singapore wanted Hongkongers to be inoculated before they could enter the city state, Lam said, she would have to tell residents.
With a travel-bubble mechanism between Singapore and Hong Kong in place since November last year and inoculation campaigns under way in both places, travel experts said the city state was a front-runner over other potential countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Singapore stands a good chance of coming first on the back of the existing groundwork,” said Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, chairman of the Society of IATA Passenger Agents, a coalition of the largest travel agents in Hong Kong. “Vaccination has great importance in the success of travel bubbles in addition to pandemic control.”
Tam said the tourism industry hoped to see the border with mainland China reopened first. Beijing has previously indicated the border with Hong Kong would not be restored unless the city had achieved a zero infection rate.
“The geographic extension of the Return2HK scheme is a good sign,” he said.
Under the new arrangement, the city government will allow Hongkongers returning home by air from anywhere in China to skip quarantine provided they have tested negative for Covid-19, something that previously applied only to those coming from Guangdong province and Macau.
Below, the Post reviews the pandemic status and readiness of the potential destinations and contacted their various consulates in the city for comment.
First stop Singapore?
The city and Singapore were forced at the eleventh hour in late November to put on hold their planned travel bubble because Hong Kong was hit by its fourth wave of infections. But commerce minister Yau said the city could now proceed with the plan following a decline in untraceable infections since the beginning of this month, to below the threshold of a weekly average of five cases.
Hong Kong has largely kept its fourth wave at bay, and recently logged two days with no local infections. It has a tally of 11,461 confirmed infections and 205 related deaths. But the pace of vaccination remains low, with about 6 per cent of its 7.5 million population having received at least one dose of vaccine.
Singapore has fared better, with no local infections reported for most of March.
Battered Hong Kong travel industry calls for mutual recognition of vaccines as bubble hopes soar
June Ang, a 31-year-old Singaporean entrepreneur based in Hong Kong, wants to join the travel bubble after the previous delay caused disruptions to her financial advisory business.
Ang, who is “cautiously optimistic”, said she got a Covid-19 jab just to “be on standby” when the bubble opened, as officials had hinted that vaccination would be a requirement.
“I’m monitoring the local cases in Hong Kong on a daily basis,” she said. “When the travel bubble is up, I hope to be one of the first few to book flights and save a lot of quarantine time in Singapore.”
Passengers at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Felix Wong
Japan a distant dream
A favourite destination of Hongkongers, Japan has experienced an unstable virus situation over the past three months and more people have fallen ill since the start of March. With 472,000 Covid-19 patients and more than 9,100 fatalities, the nation’s decision to turn away an estimated 600,000 visitors for the Olympic Games in Tokyo in July and a slow start on vaccinations means a travel bubble is relatively distant.
“The bubble with Hong Kong looks like it will take place at a later stage even though many Hongkongers cannot wait to travel there again,” Tam said.
The Japanese consulate in Hong Kong said a plan was “still under negotiation” and therefore it was not able to disclose details for now.
Hong Kong-Singapore air travel bubble unlikely to launch soon
The country only opened its doors for its long-term residents to return from places including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Taiwan in September last year but the scheme was suspended on Tuesday.
Japan started its vaccination programme last month, becoming one of the last countries to do so. The government delayed the roll-out to conduct more tests on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Thailand, jabs consensus needed?
Thai authorities will allow vaccinated foreigners to travel to holiday island Phuket without undergoing quarantine in July. The country is rolling out the Chinese-made Sinovac Biotech vaccine and the European-made AstraZeneca jab.
Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said any travel links Hong Kong was going to agree to would involve a consensus on vaccines. Hong Kong uses Germany’s BioNTech and mainland China’s Sinovac.
Australia, New Zealand in bubble already
The Australian consulate said its government received a letter from the Hong Kong government about future travel arrangements and the possible reconnection of travel links.
While Australia had established one travel bubble, with New Zealand, the consulate said any expansion beyond that would require “a step-by-step process underpinned by health advice”.
Existing border controls in Australia require passengers permitted to enter the country to present a negative Covid-19 test before boarding a flight while vaccinated passengers still have to go through 14 days’ quarantine upon arrival.
Australia and New Zealand have both registered very few Covid-19 cases in the past three to four months.
Hong Kong exploring ways to incentivise coronavirus vaccine take-up amid less than ideal start
Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said earlier this month his country had held “productive discussions” with Singapore over forming a travel bubble.
About 590,000 out of Australia’s population of 25 million have been vaccinated. New Zealand’s vaccination programme started last month and the authorities planned to have the 5 million population vaccinated by the end of this year.
Vietnam a no-go
All foreigners have been banned from entering the country since March 22 in response to the resurgence of Covid-19. Vietnam has a short-term travel deal with Japan which allows stays for business travellers. However, the scheme has reportedly mainly been used by diplomats since its launch in November last year.
South Korea in travel bubble talks
South Korean finance minister Hong Nam-ki said earlier this month his country was also in talks with other places to form travel bubbles, though he did not name the destinations. The Taiwanese government later said it had been in talks with South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam over such a scheme.
South Korea earlier this month announced plans to have a quarter of its 52 million population vaccinated by June. On a daily basis, there were about 300-400 new cases in March, jacking up the nation’s total to over 103,000 and more than 1,700 deaths as of March 30.
from straitstimes.com:
Operators in Singapore gear up to hold bigger weddings, performances and tournaments from April 24
SINGAPORE - Event organisers and venue operators have started preparing for bigger groups, following the announcement last week that capacity limits will be raised for weddings, pilot live performances and spectator sports from April 24.
The Star Performing Arts Centre is in talks with venue hirers, including concert promoters, to see how they can have up to 750 people at their events safely, said its spokesman, Ms Azlina Ahmad.
The centre has been holding live concerts featuring local bands for up to 250 people in collaboration with Holland Village bar Wala Wala in the last few months.
"We are certainly ready to accommodate bigger groups once the restrictions ease," said Ms Azlina, adding that staff from The Star are deployed to act as safe distancing ambassadors at these events to ensure patrons do not flout the rules.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre is hopeful that it can have more than 750 people - the new capacity limit from April 24 - at its upcoming Sing.Lang2021 pop concert in June.
Its director of programmes, Mr Lee Ee Wurn, said it is planning to stage the concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and is working closely with the Singapore Sports Hub, of which the stadium is part, to get the largest permissible audience capacity for the event.
However, the requirement of pre-event testing at bigger events for those who have not been vaccinated could deter some people from attending.
It is unclear if event organisers or attendees would be willing to bear the additional cost of pre-event testing, said Ms Azlina, noting that The Star is still struggling to break even for its curated concert series with Wala Wala, despite having full houses for the maximum 250 people allowed.
In January, Education Minister Lawrence Wong said the cost of rapid Covid-19 testing has dropped from $80 per person to under $50, and it is likely to come down further.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has also received mixed feedback from attendees of a pilot trial of pre-event testing at last year's SSO Christmas Concert.
While some lauded the SSO for taking part in pre-event testing, others decided not to attend because they did not wish to take the test, which they feared would be uncomfortable, said SSO. The testing costs were paid for by the Government then.
Concert organiser CK Star Entertainment Singapore said a majority of people it had gathered feedback from would rather not attend an event if they have to be tested. Others said they may buy tickets in cheaper price categories if the cost of testing is passed on to them.
Mr Sahil Rahat, director of sales, marketing and revenue management at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, said most couples who had enquired about the increase in capacity limits for weddings cited worries about the cost of the antigen rapid tests.
He said the hotel is unlikely to absorb any part of the testing costs for weddings, as package prices have already been reduced.
Still, the operators say they are prepared to comply with the necessary measures, once more details are released.
Most venue operators and event organisers like Cross Ratio Entertainment said they hope there will be flexibility in allowing attendees to get tested either on-site or at external clinics.
Mr Garth Simmons, chief executive officer of hotel operator Accor for South-east Asia, Japan and South Korea, hopes there can be some funding support from the Government for pre-event testing.
He added that Accor is in discussions with Fullerton Healthcare, which provides vaccination and swabbing services, on how to collaborate on pre-event testing.
The healthcare group is running a vaccination and swab testing centre at Fairmont Singapore, which is an Accor hotel. "We can hopefully extend this service to wedding couples and events," he said.
Mr Michael Foo, vice-president of assets and facilities at the Singapore Badminton Association, suggested that "express" entrances and audience zones for vaccinated individuals be created for larger events. "Once inside this venue, vaccinated individuals would be interacting only with people in the 'vaccinated' zone, helping to boost safety," said Mr Foo.
Ms Jolene Ghui, 31, said she will be increasing the capacity for her wedding at The Outpost Hotel in Sentosa in November.
"I am willing to bear the cost for the attendees as I believe most will be vaccinated by my wedding date and I would have to fork out money for only a few," said Ms Ghui, who works in the media industry.
What are the changes in capacity limits for events from April 24?
From April 24, up to 250 people can attend marriage solemnisations and wedding receptions if pre-event testing requirements are met, up from the current limit of 100.
At solemnisation-only weddings involving more than 100 attendees, the bride and groom will have to take a pre-event test if they are not vaccinated, while others are not required to do so.
Due to the higher risk with people being unmasked while eating and in close and prolonged contact with one another, pre-event testing will be required for everyone at receptions with more than 100 attendees.
Live performances at designated venues, pilot business-to-business events and pilot spectator sports events can have up to 750 attendees if they implement pre-event testing, or 250 attendees without testing.
Those who have completed the full vaccination regimen and have had time to develop sufficient protection will be exempted from pre-event testing from April 24.
Operators in Singapore gear up to hold bigger weddings, performances and tournaments from April 24
SINGAPORE - Event organisers and venue operators have started preparing for bigger groups, following the announcement last week that capacity limits will be raised for weddings, pilot live performances and spectator sports from April 24.
The Star Performing Arts Centre is in talks with venue hirers, including concert promoters, to see how they can have up to 750 people at their events safely, said its spokesman, Ms Azlina Ahmad.
The centre has been holding live concerts featuring local bands for up to 250 people in collaboration with Holland Village bar Wala Wala in the last few months.
"We are certainly ready to accommodate bigger groups once the restrictions ease," said Ms Azlina, adding that staff from The Star are deployed to act as safe distancing ambassadors at these events to ensure patrons do not flout the rules.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre is hopeful that it can have more than 750 people - the new capacity limit from April 24 - at its upcoming Sing.Lang2021 pop concert in June.
Its director of programmes, Mr Lee Ee Wurn, said it is planning to stage the concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and is working closely with the Singapore Sports Hub, of which the stadium is part, to get the largest permissible audience capacity for the event.
However, the requirement of pre-event testing at bigger events for those who have not been vaccinated could deter some people from attending.
It is unclear if event organisers or attendees would be willing to bear the additional cost of pre-event testing, said Ms Azlina, noting that The Star is still struggling to break even for its curated concert series with Wala Wala, despite having full houses for the maximum 250 people allowed.
In January, Education Minister Lawrence Wong said the cost of rapid Covid-19 testing has dropped from $80 per person to under $50, and it is likely to come down further.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has also received mixed feedback from attendees of a pilot trial of pre-event testing at last year's SSO Christmas Concert.
While some lauded the SSO for taking part in pre-event testing, others decided not to attend because they did not wish to take the test, which they feared would be uncomfortable, said SSO. The testing costs were paid for by the Government then.
Concert organiser CK Star Entertainment Singapore said a majority of people it had gathered feedback from would rather not attend an event if they have to be tested. Others said they may buy tickets in cheaper price categories if the cost of testing is passed on to them.
Mr Sahil Rahat, director of sales, marketing and revenue management at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, said most couples who had enquired about the increase in capacity limits for weddings cited worries about the cost of the antigen rapid tests.
He said the hotel is unlikely to absorb any part of the testing costs for weddings, as package prices have already been reduced.
Still, the operators say they are prepared to comply with the necessary measures, once more details are released.
Most venue operators and event organisers like Cross Ratio Entertainment said they hope there will be flexibility in allowing attendees to get tested either on-site or at external clinics.
Mr Garth Simmons, chief executive officer of hotel operator Accor for South-east Asia, Japan and South Korea, hopes there can be some funding support from the Government for pre-event testing.
He added that Accor is in discussions with Fullerton Healthcare, which provides vaccination and swabbing services, on how to collaborate on pre-event testing.
The healthcare group is running a vaccination and swab testing centre at Fairmont Singapore, which is an Accor hotel. "We can hopefully extend this service to wedding couples and events," he said.
Mr Michael Foo, vice-president of assets and facilities at the Singapore Badminton Association, suggested that "express" entrances and audience zones for vaccinated individuals be created for larger events. "Once inside this venue, vaccinated individuals would be interacting only with people in the 'vaccinated' zone, helping to boost safety," said Mr Foo.
Ms Jolene Ghui, 31, said she will be increasing the capacity for her wedding at The Outpost Hotel in Sentosa in November.
"I am willing to bear the cost for the attendees as I believe most will be vaccinated by my wedding date and I would have to fork out money for only a few," said Ms Ghui, who works in the media industry.
What are the changes in capacity limits for events from April 24?
From April 24, up to 250 people can attend marriage solemnisations and wedding receptions if pre-event testing requirements are met, up from the current limit of 100.
At solemnisation-only weddings involving more than 100 attendees, the bride and groom will have to take a pre-event test if they are not vaccinated, while others are not required to do so.
Due to the higher risk with people being unmasked while eating and in close and prolonged contact with one another, pre-event testing will be required for everyone at receptions with more than 100 attendees.
Live performances at designated venues, pilot business-to-business events and pilot spectator sports events can have up to 750 attendees if they implement pre-event testing, or 250 attendees without testing.
Those who have completed the full vaccination regimen and have had time to develop sufficient protection will be exempted from pre-event testing from April 24.
from yahoo.com:
Singapore residents aged under 45 can book COVID-19 vaccination slots from June: Janil
SINGAPORE — Residents in Singapore aged under 45 will be invited to book their COVID-19 vaccination slots from June, based on the current schedule, said Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament on Monday (5 April).
Dr Janil also said that about half, or close to 500,000 residents, of those aged 45 to 59 – who were invited to book their slots from 24 March – have already registered for their slots, in response to a series of questions by Members of Parliament (MPs) on the progress of the country's vaccination drive.
"We're encouraged by this strong response. Those who have registered will progressively receive invitations, through SMS (short message service) to make their appointments for their vaccination," he added.
But Dr Janil noted that it may take some time given the number who has registered, adding that about 17 per cent of those aged 45 to 59 have received the vaccination or booked their appointments.
The rest should receive the SMS by mid-May and can expect to book a slot by early June, Dr Janil added.
Separately, about 60 per cent of eligible seniors aged 70 and above and close to 70% of those aged 60 to 69 have received the COVID-19 vaccination or booked their vaccination appointments to date, he said.
He added that as at Saturday, around 1.52 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered here – around 1.05 million individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine, of which more than 468,000 have received their second dose and completed the full vaccination regimen.
"Our supply of vaccines remains limited by the availability of vaccine manufacturers to deliver, given the high levels of global demand. This has resulted in limited booking slots in recent days," said Dr Janil.
"I apologise for the inconvenience caused to those who have not been able to book. As more supplies arrive, we will progressively open more slots."
Responding to a follow-up question by Workers' Party Sengkang GRC MP Jamus Lim on the government's threshold target for coverage associated with herd immunity, Dr Janil said the target is for as many eligible residents to be vaccinated.
"Herd immunity indeed is useful, but you can also imagine that we would perhaps want to make sure that individuals who want to travel overseas will also continue to be protected and that requires them to be vaccinated because once they're overseas, they will not benefit from herd immunity here in Singapore," he added.
Singapore residents aged under 45 can book COVID-19 vaccination slots from June: Janil
SINGAPORE — Residents in Singapore aged under 45 will be invited to book their COVID-19 vaccination slots from June, based on the current schedule, said Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament on Monday (5 April).
Dr Janil also said that about half, or close to 500,000 residents, of those aged 45 to 59 – who were invited to book their slots from 24 March – have already registered for their slots, in response to a series of questions by Members of Parliament (MPs) on the progress of the country's vaccination drive.
"We're encouraged by this strong response. Those who have registered will progressively receive invitations, through SMS (short message service) to make their appointments for their vaccination," he added.
But Dr Janil noted that it may take some time given the number who has registered, adding that about 17 per cent of those aged 45 to 59 have received the vaccination or booked their appointments.
The rest should receive the SMS by mid-May and can expect to book a slot by early June, Dr Janil added.
Separately, about 60 per cent of eligible seniors aged 70 and above and close to 70% of those aged 60 to 69 have received the COVID-19 vaccination or booked their vaccination appointments to date, he said.
He added that as at Saturday, around 1.52 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered here – around 1.05 million individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine, of which more than 468,000 have received their second dose and completed the full vaccination regimen.
"Our supply of vaccines remains limited by the availability of vaccine manufacturers to deliver, given the high levels of global demand. This has resulted in limited booking slots in recent days," said Dr Janil.
"I apologise for the inconvenience caused to those who have not been able to book. As more supplies arrive, we will progressively open more slots."
Responding to a follow-up question by Workers' Party Sengkang GRC MP Jamus Lim on the government's threshold target for coverage associated with herd immunity, Dr Janil said the target is for as many eligible residents to be vaccinated.
"Herd immunity indeed is useful, but you can also imagine that we would perhaps want to make sure that individuals who want to travel overseas will also continue to be protected and that requires them to be vaccinated because once they're overseas, they will not benefit from herd immunity here in Singapore," he added.
from straitstimes.com:
Over 9,600 fines meted out in S'pore for Covid-19 breaches in past year
SINGAPORE - More than 9,600 fines have been issued to individuals and companies for failing to adhere to Covid-19 rules in the past year, with the authorities warning that there will be no let-up in enforcement as more people return to workplaces on Monday (April 5) and other guidelines are relaxed.
From April last year to the end of last month, more than 7,500 fines were issued to people who breached safe distancing rules and safe management measures in public spaces.
Another 1,800 fines went to people who did not wear masks during the same period, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), which coordinates safe distancing efforts among government agencies.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) inspected more than 38,000 workplaces for violations of safe management measures between last March and the end of last month, issuing fines to more than 300 companies.
Among them, close to 140 employers were ordered to cease operations for serious breaches, and were allowed to resume only after the breaches were rectified.
The latest enforcement figures were released by the authorities as Singapore marks on Wednesday one year since the start of the eight-week-long circuit breaker to stem the spread of Covid-19, and as more workers return to the office on Monday, with up to 75 per cent of employees who are able to work from home allowed back to the office.
A spokesman for MOM said it will continue to step up inspections of safe management measures at workplaces to ensure compliance with the latest rules.
From Monday, while mandatory split-team arrangements have been lifted, employers are urged to stagger working and break hours to reduce congregation of employees at all common spaces.
The MOM spokesman added that its inspectors will engage employers and employees to clarify the new safe management requirements, and guide companies on how to implement them properly.
Meanwhile, an MSE spokesman told The Straits Times last week that the number of safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers deployed may be increased based on the ground situation, and that agencies will continue to step up enforcement where necessary.
"Firm enforcement action will be taken against errant operators and individuals. This includes fines, suspension of operations even for first offences and prosecution for egregious breaches," he said.
Currently, about 3,000 safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers are deployed daily to remind members of the public and owners of premises to comply with safe distancing measures.
Bank associate Rayner Chua, who has spent most of the past year working from home, is among those who will return to the office more frequently from Monday.
"I can still interact with colleagues online, but part of communicating with others in person is non-verbal, and that aspect is missing when I work from home," said the 27-year-old.
"Being in the office is more than just work, it is also sharing experiences with colleagues. That adds a human touch and helps to build a social connection," he said, adding that he looks forward to meeting more team members with the lifting of split-team requirements.
Businesses can find updated information on the latest safe management requirements on MOM's website and the GoBusiness portal.
RETURNING TO WORKPLACES SAFELY
Capacity limits
• No more than 75 per cent of employees who are able to work from home should be at the workplace at any point
• Employers to support as many employees to work from home as possible
• No limit on the proportion of an employee's working time that can be spent at the workplace
Meetings
• Meetings to be conducted virtually as far as possible
• Schedule physical meetings after 10am to avoid peak-hour travel
• Stagger start work times such that at least half of the employees arrive at or after 10am
No cross-deployment
• No employee should work at more than one worksite, except for firms or industries where this is critical for operations
• If cross-deployment cannot be avoided, additional safeguards must be taken to minimise the risk of cross-infection
Social gatherings
• All social and recreational gatherings such as lunches and team-bonding activities within or outside the workplace must adhere to the limit of eight people
• All work-related events should not have meals as their main feature
• Employers should avoid holding events at mealtimes
Other recommendations
• Split-team arrangements will no longer be mandatory
• Employees encouraged to download and activate the TraceTogether app
• Appoint safe management officers to help in the implementation, coordination and monitoring of safe management measures
Over 9,600 fines meted out in S'pore for Covid-19 breaches in past year
SINGAPORE - More than 9,600 fines have been issued to individuals and companies for failing to adhere to Covid-19 rules in the past year, with the authorities warning that there will be no let-up in enforcement as more people return to workplaces on Monday (April 5) and other guidelines are relaxed.
From April last year to the end of last month, more than 7,500 fines were issued to people who breached safe distancing rules and safe management measures in public spaces.
Another 1,800 fines went to people who did not wear masks during the same period, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), which coordinates safe distancing efforts among government agencies.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) inspected more than 38,000 workplaces for violations of safe management measures between last March and the end of last month, issuing fines to more than 300 companies.
Among them, close to 140 employers were ordered to cease operations for serious breaches, and were allowed to resume only after the breaches were rectified.
The latest enforcement figures were released by the authorities as Singapore marks on Wednesday one year since the start of the eight-week-long circuit breaker to stem the spread of Covid-19, and as more workers return to the office on Monday, with up to 75 per cent of employees who are able to work from home allowed back to the office.
A spokesman for MOM said it will continue to step up inspections of safe management measures at workplaces to ensure compliance with the latest rules.
From Monday, while mandatory split-team arrangements have been lifted, employers are urged to stagger working and break hours to reduce congregation of employees at all common spaces.
The MOM spokesman added that its inspectors will engage employers and employees to clarify the new safe management requirements, and guide companies on how to implement them properly.
Meanwhile, an MSE spokesman told The Straits Times last week that the number of safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers deployed may be increased based on the ground situation, and that agencies will continue to step up enforcement where necessary.
"Firm enforcement action will be taken against errant operators and individuals. This includes fines, suspension of operations even for first offences and prosecution for egregious breaches," he said.
Currently, about 3,000 safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers are deployed daily to remind members of the public and owners of premises to comply with safe distancing measures.
Bank associate Rayner Chua, who has spent most of the past year working from home, is among those who will return to the office more frequently from Monday.
"I can still interact with colleagues online, but part of communicating with others in person is non-verbal, and that aspect is missing when I work from home," said the 27-year-old.
"Being in the office is more than just work, it is also sharing experiences with colleagues. That adds a human touch and helps to build a social connection," he said, adding that he looks forward to meeting more team members with the lifting of split-team requirements.
Businesses can find updated information on the latest safe management requirements on MOM's website and the GoBusiness portal.
RETURNING TO WORKPLACES SAFELY
Capacity limits
• No more than 75 per cent of employees who are able to work from home should be at the workplace at any point
• Employers to support as many employees to work from home as possible
• No limit on the proportion of an employee's working time that can be spent at the workplace
Meetings
• Meetings to be conducted virtually as far as possible
• Schedule physical meetings after 10am to avoid peak-hour travel
• Stagger start work times such that at least half of the employees arrive at or after 10am
No cross-deployment
• No employee should work at more than one worksite, except for firms or industries where this is critical for operations
• If cross-deployment cannot be avoided, additional safeguards must be taken to minimise the risk of cross-infection
Social gatherings
• All social and recreational gatherings such as lunches and team-bonding activities within or outside the workplace must adhere to the limit of eight people
• All work-related events should not have meals as their main feature
• Employers should avoid holding events at mealtimes
Other recommendations
• Split-team arrangements will no longer be mandatory
• Employees encouraged to download and activate the TraceTogether app
• Appoint safe management officers to help in the implementation, coordination and monitoring of safe management measures
from yahoo.com:
Passengers flying to Singapore can use IATA Travel Pass from May
(Bloomberg) — Singapore will allow passengers traveling to the island state to share pre-departure Covid-19 test results with airlines and immigration staff upon arrival using IATA’s Travel Pass from next month as the Southeast Asian nation takes steps to reopen its borders.
The International Air Transport Association’s app is a digital solution that can be used by people to store Covid test results from accredited laboratories. The app, being trialled by more than 20 carriers including Singapore Airlines Ltd., will be available for download in the second half of this month. IATA hopes such solutions will help drive the adoption of digital health certificates.
“As we work to safely rebuild the Changi air hub, we will continue to explore other solutions that can provide similarly secure and verifiable means of sharing health certificates for safe international travel,” Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Director-General Kevin Shum said in a statement Monday, referring to the country’s Changi airport.
With coronavirus cases in the city-state under control, the focus has swung to vaccinations and reopening borders. Because Singapore has no domestic market to speak of, international travel is vital to the economy and Singapore Airlines’ financial prospects. Talks are underway with Hong Kong and Australia to start travel bubbles that would replace mandatory quarantine with tests.
Singapore is set to expand vaccines to under 45-year-olds from June and is maintaining its end-2021 schedule to vaccinate everyone. About 1.05 million people, or 18.4% of the population, have received their first dose.
The nation is also exploring mutual recognition of vaccination certificates with several countries and regions, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament on Monday. These initiatives could be physical or digital and will need to be temper-proof and verifiable, he said.
“Singapore will continue to holistically evaluate the Covid-19 situation in various countries and regions and explore the possibility restoring air travel when it is safe to do so,” Ong said. “And we have been proactively doing so given the importance of our global connections.”
CAAS and IATA will also work on enhancing the IATA travel pass, including enabling QR code scanning by immigration officers, according to Monday’s statement. Singapore Airlines said in March that would become the world’s first airline to pilot the IATA Travel Pass, starting with passengers flying to London.
Passengers flying to Singapore can use IATA Travel Pass from May
(Bloomberg) — Singapore will allow passengers traveling to the island state to share pre-departure Covid-19 test results with airlines and immigration staff upon arrival using IATA’s Travel Pass from next month as the Southeast Asian nation takes steps to reopen its borders.
The International Air Transport Association’s app is a digital solution that can be used by people to store Covid test results from accredited laboratories. The app, being trialled by more than 20 carriers including Singapore Airlines Ltd., will be available for download in the second half of this month. IATA hopes such solutions will help drive the adoption of digital health certificates.
“As we work to safely rebuild the Changi air hub, we will continue to explore other solutions that can provide similarly secure and verifiable means of sharing health certificates for safe international travel,” Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Director-General Kevin Shum said in a statement Monday, referring to the country’s Changi airport.
With coronavirus cases in the city-state under control, the focus has swung to vaccinations and reopening borders. Because Singapore has no domestic market to speak of, international travel is vital to the economy and Singapore Airlines’ financial prospects. Talks are underway with Hong Kong and Australia to start travel bubbles that would replace mandatory quarantine with tests.
Singapore is set to expand vaccines to under 45-year-olds from June and is maintaining its end-2021 schedule to vaccinate everyone. About 1.05 million people, or 18.4% of the population, have received their first dose.
The nation is also exploring mutual recognition of vaccination certificates with several countries and regions, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament on Monday. These initiatives could be physical or digital and will need to be temper-proof and verifiable, he said.
“Singapore will continue to holistically evaluate the Covid-19 situation in various countries and regions and explore the possibility restoring air travel when it is safe to do so,” Ong said. “And we have been proactively doing so given the importance of our global connections.”
CAAS and IATA will also work on enhancing the IATA travel pass, including enabling QR code scanning by immigration officers, according to Monday’s statement. Singapore Airlines said in March that would become the world’s first airline to pilot the IATA Travel Pass, starting with passengers flying to London.
from straitstimes.com:
Govt to make it easy to show Covid-19 vaccination proof; vaccine passports being discussed
SINGAPORE - It will be easy and convenient in future for people to show they have been vaccinated against Covid-19, including for those without smartphones.
Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said the Ministry of Health will, when ready, release details on how individuals can show their valid vaccination status.
He was responding to Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) on whether Singaporeans unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons would be given cards or letters to show to retail staff in the event they are blocked from entering stores in future.
Dr Janil and Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung also told Parliament that government agencies are actively discussing with international counterparts on the possible mutual recognition of vaccination certificates to enable cross-border travel.
On vaccination status, Dr Janil said: "Measures for the unvaccinated are generally based on public health considerations to prevent infection, and would not distinguish between those who choose not to be vaccinated and those who were not medically eligible.
"Other vaccines may be available in the future for those who are not currently medically eligible, and we will continue to evaluate scientific data and review the eligibility criteria accordingly."
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) and Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asked about plans for a vaccine passport system to enable travel for business, compassionate and leisure reasons, as well as exemption from quarantine upon returning home.
Dr Janil said progress on cross-border recognition of vaccine certification may take some time.
More data is needed to assess if changes to border measures such as testing and stay-home notice requirements can be made for vaccinated individuals, and if such measures will be affected by the different types of vaccines, he noted.
Dr Janil added that most countries - including Singapore - have only just started vaccinations, and that border measures would also need to account for other factors such as the number of Covid-19 cases and infection control efforts in source countries.
Mr Ong said Singapore is exploring mutual recognition of vaccination certificates - which can be physical or digital, and have to be secure, tamper-proof and verifiable - with several countries and regions, including Australia.
The country will continue to evaluate the Covid-19 situation abroad, and proactively explore the possibility of restoring air travel when it is safe to do so, he added.
Mr Ang Wei Neng (West Coast GRC) had also asked about the impact of an April 2 announcement by Hong Kong to bar Singapore Airlines flights from the Republic till April 16.
The move was prompted by a transit passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival, and three other transit passengers who breached Hong Kong's entry rules by taking their pre-departure tests at uncertified clinics.
Mr Ong said these were technical reasons that would not affect talks to re-establish a Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble that was supposed to begin last November but was postponed due to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong.
He noted that flights within any proposed travel bubble would carry only passengers from the destination of origin and not those in transit.
"We continue to want to work with Hong Kong to restore this travel bubble," he said.
New digital Covid-19 test cert
Separately, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and International Air Transport Association (Iata) also announced on Monday that from May 1, passengers travelling to Singapore would be able to use the Iata travel pass app to share their pre-departure Covid-19 test results with their airline.
The app - now extended to more than 20 airlines - enables passengers to obtain and store polymerase chain reaction test results from accredited laboratories, and use them during check-in and on arrival at immigration checkpoints at Changi Airport.
This follows a successful trial by SIA in March.
CAAS and Iata said they would work on also including enhancements such as QR code scanning by immigration officers; backend transmission of health credentials to airlines' and immigration authorities' systems; and vaccination certificates.
The Iata travel pass will be available for download in the second half of April.
Govt to make it easy to show Covid-19 vaccination proof; vaccine passports being discussed
SINGAPORE - It will be easy and convenient in future for people to show they have been vaccinated against Covid-19, including for those without smartphones.
Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said the Ministry of Health will, when ready, release details on how individuals can show their valid vaccination status.
He was responding to Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) on whether Singaporeans unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons would be given cards or letters to show to retail staff in the event they are blocked from entering stores in future.
Dr Janil and Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung also told Parliament that government agencies are actively discussing with international counterparts on the possible mutual recognition of vaccination certificates to enable cross-border travel.
On vaccination status, Dr Janil said: "Measures for the unvaccinated are generally based on public health considerations to prevent infection, and would not distinguish between those who choose not to be vaccinated and those who were not medically eligible.
"Other vaccines may be available in the future for those who are not currently medically eligible, and we will continue to evaluate scientific data and review the eligibility criteria accordingly."
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) and Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asked about plans for a vaccine passport system to enable travel for business, compassionate and leisure reasons, as well as exemption from quarantine upon returning home.
Dr Janil said progress on cross-border recognition of vaccine certification may take some time.
More data is needed to assess if changes to border measures such as testing and stay-home notice requirements can be made for vaccinated individuals, and if such measures will be affected by the different types of vaccines, he noted.
Dr Janil added that most countries - including Singapore - have only just started vaccinations, and that border measures would also need to account for other factors such as the number of Covid-19 cases and infection control efforts in source countries.
Mr Ong said Singapore is exploring mutual recognition of vaccination certificates - which can be physical or digital, and have to be secure, tamper-proof and verifiable - with several countries and regions, including Australia.
The country will continue to evaluate the Covid-19 situation abroad, and proactively explore the possibility of restoring air travel when it is safe to do so, he added.
Mr Ang Wei Neng (West Coast GRC) had also asked about the impact of an April 2 announcement by Hong Kong to bar Singapore Airlines flights from the Republic till April 16.
The move was prompted by a transit passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival, and three other transit passengers who breached Hong Kong's entry rules by taking their pre-departure tests at uncertified clinics.
Mr Ong said these were technical reasons that would not affect talks to re-establish a Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble that was supposed to begin last November but was postponed due to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong.
He noted that flights within any proposed travel bubble would carry only passengers from the destination of origin and not those in transit.
"We continue to want to work with Hong Kong to restore this travel bubble," he said.
New digital Covid-19 test cert
Separately, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and International Air Transport Association (Iata) also announced on Monday that from May 1, passengers travelling to Singapore would be able to use the Iata travel pass app to share their pre-departure Covid-19 test results with their airline.
The app - now extended to more than 20 airlines - enables passengers to obtain and store polymerase chain reaction test results from accredited laboratories, and use them during check-in and on arrival at immigration checkpoints at Changi Airport.
This follows a successful trial by SIA in March.
CAAS and Iata said they would work on also including enhancements such as QR code scanning by immigration officers; backend transmission of health credentials to airlines' and immigration authorities' systems; and vaccination certificates.
The Iata travel pass will be available for download in the second half of April.
from straitstimes.com:
About 1% of S'pore residents who turned up for Covid-19 vaccine rejected due to issues like allergies
SINGAPORE - About 1 per cent of people who turned up for their Covid-19 vaccinations were rejected due to concerns about allergies and conditions that could make them ineligible to receive the jab.
Additionally, close to 98 per cent of those who booked appointments for vaccinations in the last 30 days showed up - meaning about 2 per cent of them did not show up for their appointments.
These figures were revealed by Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament on Monday (April 5), in response to a question from Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) on the proportion of people who have been rejected for the vaccine.
Ms Lim also asked about plans to minimise the wastage of vaccines.
In response, Dr Janil said there is no vaccine wastage as a result of people who do not turn up for their vaccinations or those who were unable to get their jabs due to concerns over issues like allergies.
"We closely monitor the appointment bookings and historical take-up rate, and deliver the appropriate number of vaccine doses to the vaccination sites," he said.
Unopened vials can be stored at the vaccination sites for at least three days, and to avoid vaccine wastage, staff giving the jabs will start a new vial only when they have checked that there are individuals awaiting vaccination.
There are also pre-planned lists of individuals who will be invited for vaccination at the end of the day to use any balance remaining in a multi-dose vial and further minimise wastage, Dr Janil said.
They could be staff who are working at the vaccination sites or front-line volunteers who have an active role in engaging seniors on the shots.
"We encourage everyone to be vaccinated when your turn comes, and to turn up at the vaccination appointments that you have made so that you do not deny another person of the opportunity," he added.
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) asked if a system can be arranged so that others who are not yet eligible to take the vaccine can be on standby at the vaccination centres to take the jab, if there are doses left over at the end of the day even after catering to those on the pre-planned list.
Dr Janil said the MOH will study her suggestion, and added that the ministry is continuing to study how best to deal with the challenges of prioritising those most at risk in the vaccine roll-out while ensuring some equitable distribution across the population, as well as helping those who have some urgent needs to be vaccinated.
Responding to Ms Lim on whether MOH has eased its Covid-19 vaccination guidelines, he confirmed the ministry has updated its advice on eligibility for the jab.
“As an increasing number of people have been vaccinated, we have confidence over the situations in which someone previously thought to be ineligible might now go forward and have the vaccine,” he said, adding that the online systems and MOH’s guidance to staff manning counters and hotlines on the vaccine have also been updated.
He stressed that individuals deemed ineligible for the vaccine now may still be able to take the jab at a later stage.
“This is about deferring the appointment and the consultation to a time where perhaps they might subsequently become eligible, and we will continue to pay close attention to this segment of the population.”
In response to Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten), who asked if Singaporeans can opt in to receive early vaccinations if they need to travel for work and studies, Dr Janil said an appeals channel has been opened since March 16 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents who need to travel overseas on compassionate grounds, or for employment or study purposes.
"We will prioritise appeals with earlier travel dates if they are able to complete the two-dose regimen prior to departure," he said.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be conducting further studies to monitor and review the extent and duration of immunity provided by the Covid-19 vaccines, said Dr Janil.
This includes collecting selected post-vaccination samples from groups such as healthcare workers, front-line staff and seniors to monitor the persistence of antibodies for up to 24 months.
In line with international practices, there are no plans to test the serology of everyone who is vaccinated in Singapore, he said in response to Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok), who asked if MOH intends to measure the antibody levels of people over time after they have been jabbed to assess if they retain immunity against the virus.
More details about the studies will be shared once they have been completed, he added.
About 1% of S'pore residents who turned up for Covid-19 vaccine rejected due to issues like allergies
SINGAPORE - About 1 per cent of people who turned up for their Covid-19 vaccinations were rejected due to concerns about allergies and conditions that could make them ineligible to receive the jab.
Additionally, close to 98 per cent of those who booked appointments for vaccinations in the last 30 days showed up - meaning about 2 per cent of them did not show up for their appointments.
These figures were revealed by Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament on Monday (April 5), in response to a question from Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) on the proportion of people who have been rejected for the vaccine.
Ms Lim also asked about plans to minimise the wastage of vaccines.
In response, Dr Janil said there is no vaccine wastage as a result of people who do not turn up for their vaccinations or those who were unable to get their jabs due to concerns over issues like allergies.
"We closely monitor the appointment bookings and historical take-up rate, and deliver the appropriate number of vaccine doses to the vaccination sites," he said.
Unopened vials can be stored at the vaccination sites for at least three days, and to avoid vaccine wastage, staff giving the jabs will start a new vial only when they have checked that there are individuals awaiting vaccination.
There are also pre-planned lists of individuals who will be invited for vaccination at the end of the day to use any balance remaining in a multi-dose vial and further minimise wastage, Dr Janil said.
They could be staff who are working at the vaccination sites or front-line volunteers who have an active role in engaging seniors on the shots.
"We encourage everyone to be vaccinated when your turn comes, and to turn up at the vaccination appointments that you have made so that you do not deny another person of the opportunity," he added.
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) asked if a system can be arranged so that others who are not yet eligible to take the vaccine can be on standby at the vaccination centres to take the jab, if there are doses left over at the end of the day even after catering to those on the pre-planned list.
Dr Janil said the MOH will study her suggestion, and added that the ministry is continuing to study how best to deal with the challenges of prioritising those most at risk in the vaccine roll-out while ensuring some equitable distribution across the population, as well as helping those who have some urgent needs to be vaccinated.
Responding to Ms Lim on whether MOH has eased its Covid-19 vaccination guidelines, he confirmed the ministry has updated its advice on eligibility for the jab.
“As an increasing number of people have been vaccinated, we have confidence over the situations in which someone previously thought to be ineligible might now go forward and have the vaccine,” he said, adding that the online systems and MOH’s guidance to staff manning counters and hotlines on the vaccine have also been updated.
He stressed that individuals deemed ineligible for the vaccine now may still be able to take the jab at a later stage.
“This is about deferring the appointment and the consultation to a time where perhaps they might subsequently become eligible, and we will continue to pay close attention to this segment of the population.”
In response to Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten), who asked if Singaporeans can opt in to receive early vaccinations if they need to travel for work and studies, Dr Janil said an appeals channel has been opened since March 16 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents who need to travel overseas on compassionate grounds, or for employment or study purposes.
"We will prioritise appeals with earlier travel dates if they are able to complete the two-dose regimen prior to departure," he said.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be conducting further studies to monitor and review the extent and duration of immunity provided by the Covid-19 vaccines, said Dr Janil.
This includes collecting selected post-vaccination samples from groups such as healthcare workers, front-line staff and seniors to monitor the persistence of antibodies for up to 24 months.
In line with international practices, there are no plans to test the serology of everyone who is vaccinated in Singapore, he said in response to Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok), who asked if MOH intends to measure the antibody levels of people over time after they have been jabbed to assess if they retain immunity against the virus.
More details about the studies will be shared once they have been completed, he added.
from yahoo.com:
Why is Singapore Leading in Asia's COVID-19 Vaccine Effort?
After over a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China, the world continues to be ravaged by the Coronavirus. The recent development and administration of vaccines mean an end is in sight. However, the rollout of vaccines has been uneven at best, with the disparities between countries being quite significant.
Although much of the world continues to struggle with widespread vaccine administration, Singapore has been among the world's leaders. In fact, according to The New York Times, Singapore is among the top 20 countries in the world and the best in Asia in terms of vaccines delivered per capita.
Leading the Pack: Singapore's Vaccination Record Compared to Other Countries in East and Southeast Asia
Data obtained from Our World in Data via The New York Times (March 17, 2021)
Compared to other countries in Asia, Singapore firmly leads in nearly all relevant metrics: vaccine doses per capita, percentage of population vaccinated, and percentage of population fully vaccinated. As the most health-efficient country in Asia (according to Bloomberg), it's not particularly surprising that Singapore is leading the vaccine effort in Asia. But what advantages lead Singapore to vaccinate its population so much more effectively than its counterparts in Asia?
Key Factors Aiding Singapore's Vaccine Rollout
Two of the most critical factors contributing to Singapore's effective vaccine rollout are simply the population size and geographical constraints of the island city-state. These two constraints were crucial to Singapore's early success in combating the spread of the virus, as Singapore was able to successfully restrict its borders, enact and end its lockdown measures by Summer 2020. Indeed, with a total population of roughly 5.7 million and an area of only 728.3 km^2, Singapore has significantly more manageable oversight than countries such as China and Indonesia that surpass it in both measures. China, for instance, far surpasses Singapore in terms of population (1.398 billion) and area (9.597 million km^2) but still boasts a relatively successful vaccine rollout.
The task of the Singaporean government to vaccinate Singaporeans reflects this purported manageability. Since Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first announced Singapore's shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines on 14 December 2020, the nation has reached over 9.7% of its population vaccinated, with 4.3% receiving full dosage of the vaccine—by far the highest in Asia. However, its total doses administered (792,423) is much lower than larger countries like China (64,980,000) and Indonesia (6,185,700). Considering the drastic differences in number of doses and percentage vaccinated, it becomes clear that Singapore's effective vaccine rollout is at least somewhat a consequence of its small population and geographic constraints.
Highly Efficient Government and Healthcare System
The manageability of Singapore's size and population go hand-in-hand with the efficiency of its governmental institutions. Among these is Singapore's universal healthcare coverage, which allows all Singaporean citizens to obtain free healthcare funded by the government and mandatory health insurance schemes. Among countries featured in this analysis, only China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand feature healthcare systems with some socialized characteristics. None, however, are quite as efficient as Singapore with regards to widespread vaccination.
The reason is twofold. For one, the longstanding reliance of Singaporeans on the city-state's healthcare system builds familiarity to Singapore's institutional structure. As a result, because the government continues to administer coronavirus vaccines through the state, Singaporeans are regularly educated on details about its rollout. Secondly, public hospitals eliminate the need for vaccines to be disseminated and further administered by private hospitals and healthcare providers. Where countries such as the United States struggle with muddled public knowledge about the vaccination process and inefficient distribution, Singapore excels.
Each of these factors contribute a clearly delineated process for Singaporeans to learn about, register for, and ultimately be vaccinated.
Public Campaigns and Government Programmes
Singapore's success is also impacted by the Singaporean Government's regular public campaigns and promotion of widespread vaccination and awareness. Since the beginning of the pandemic, public officials have regularly communicated to Singaporeans the importance of following restrictions and mandates. After Singapore officially began administering vaccines, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong publicly received the vaccine in January and urged Singaporeans to do the same (from Reuters). Such efforts, in confluence with the delineation of Singapore's healthcare system, help to keep the public informed of recent developments.
Furthermore, the Singaporean Government continues to make efforts to accelerate its vaccination effort. Despite its already-effective system of performing vaccinations at public hospitals, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) continues to open new vaccination centres, with seven new centres opening in March and an estimated 40 centres to be accessible across the island by mid-April (from Channel News Asia). Starting 17 March 2021, Singapore is also diversifying its vaccine supply by administering the Moderna vaccine in addition to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (from Yahoo News Singapore).
Conclusion
Compared to the rest of Southeast and East Asia, Singapore clearly leads the charge of widespread COVID-19 vaccination. The island's record of vaccination has and continues to be exemplary by all standards, and is effective due to a confluence of reasons. Among these are the nation's small population and geographic area, highly efficient government institutions and healthcare programmes, and the state's vigilance to provide public information about vaccines. With this model, Singapore will attempt to continue down the path of full vaccination and look to turn a new page after the pandemic.
Why is Singapore Leading in Asia's COVID-19 Vaccine Effort?
After over a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China, the world continues to be ravaged by the Coronavirus. The recent development and administration of vaccines mean an end is in sight. However, the rollout of vaccines has been uneven at best, with the disparities between countries being quite significant.
Although much of the world continues to struggle with widespread vaccine administration, Singapore has been among the world's leaders. In fact, according to The New York Times, Singapore is among the top 20 countries in the world and the best in Asia in terms of vaccines delivered per capita.
Leading the Pack: Singapore's Vaccination Record Compared to Other Countries in East and Southeast Asia
Country | Doses Administered (Per 100 People) | Total Doses Administered | Percentage of Population Vaccinated | Percentage of Population Fully Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 14 | 792,423 | 9.7% | 4.3% |
| China | 4.7 | 64,980,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Indonesia | 2.3 | 6,185,700 | 1.7% | 0.6% |
| South Korea | 1.2 | 621,734 | 1.2% | N/A |
| Cambodia | 1.1 | 170,659 | 1.1% | N/A |
| Malaysia | 1.0 | 321,331 | 1.0% | N/A |
| Japan | 0.3 | 359,191 | 0.3% | Under 0.1% |
| Philippines | 0.2 | 215,997 | 0.2% | N/A |
| Myanmar | 0.2 | 103,142 | 0.2% | N/A |
| Thailand | 0.1 | 44,963 | N/A | N/A |
| Vietnam | Under 0.1 | 20,695 | Under 0.1% | N/A |
Compared to other countries in Asia, Singapore firmly leads in nearly all relevant metrics: vaccine doses per capita, percentage of population vaccinated, and percentage of population fully vaccinated. As the most health-efficient country in Asia (according to Bloomberg), it's not particularly surprising that Singapore is leading the vaccine effort in Asia. But what advantages lead Singapore to vaccinate its population so much more effectively than its counterparts in Asia?
Key Factors Aiding Singapore's Vaccine Rollout
- Small, contained population
- Highly efficient government and healthcare system
- Public campaigns supporting widespread vaccination
Two of the most critical factors contributing to Singapore's effective vaccine rollout are simply the population size and geographical constraints of the island city-state. These two constraints were crucial to Singapore's early success in combating the spread of the virus, as Singapore was able to successfully restrict its borders, enact and end its lockdown measures by Summer 2020. Indeed, with a total population of roughly 5.7 million and an area of only 728.3 km^2, Singapore has significantly more manageable oversight than countries such as China and Indonesia that surpass it in both measures. China, for instance, far surpasses Singapore in terms of population (1.398 billion) and area (9.597 million km^2) but still boasts a relatively successful vaccine rollout.
The task of the Singaporean government to vaccinate Singaporeans reflects this purported manageability. Since Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first announced Singapore's shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines on 14 December 2020, the nation has reached over 9.7% of its population vaccinated, with 4.3% receiving full dosage of the vaccine—by far the highest in Asia. However, its total doses administered (792,423) is much lower than larger countries like China (64,980,000) and Indonesia (6,185,700). Considering the drastic differences in number of doses and percentage vaccinated, it becomes clear that Singapore's effective vaccine rollout is at least somewhat a consequence of its small population and geographic constraints.
Highly Efficient Government and Healthcare System
The manageability of Singapore's size and population go hand-in-hand with the efficiency of its governmental institutions. Among these is Singapore's universal healthcare coverage, which allows all Singaporean citizens to obtain free healthcare funded by the government and mandatory health insurance schemes. Among countries featured in this analysis, only China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand feature healthcare systems with some socialized characteristics. None, however, are quite as efficient as Singapore with regards to widespread vaccination.
The reason is twofold. For one, the longstanding reliance of Singaporeans on the city-state's healthcare system builds familiarity to Singapore's institutional structure. As a result, because the government continues to administer coronavirus vaccines through the state, Singaporeans are regularly educated on details about its rollout. Secondly, public hospitals eliminate the need for vaccines to be disseminated and further administered by private hospitals and healthcare providers. Where countries such as the United States struggle with muddled public knowledge about the vaccination process and inefficient distribution, Singapore excels.
Each of these factors contribute a clearly delineated process for Singaporeans to learn about, register for, and ultimately be vaccinated.
Public Campaigns and Government Programmes
Singapore's success is also impacted by the Singaporean Government's regular public campaigns and promotion of widespread vaccination and awareness. Since the beginning of the pandemic, public officials have regularly communicated to Singaporeans the importance of following restrictions and mandates. After Singapore officially began administering vaccines, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong publicly received the vaccine in January and urged Singaporeans to do the same (from Reuters). Such efforts, in confluence with the delineation of Singapore's healthcare system, help to keep the public informed of recent developments.
Furthermore, the Singaporean Government continues to make efforts to accelerate its vaccination effort. Despite its already-effective system of performing vaccinations at public hospitals, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) continues to open new vaccination centres, with seven new centres opening in March and an estimated 40 centres to be accessible across the island by mid-April (from Channel News Asia). Starting 17 March 2021, Singapore is also diversifying its vaccine supply by administering the Moderna vaccine in addition to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (from Yahoo News Singapore).
Conclusion
Compared to the rest of Southeast and East Asia, Singapore clearly leads the charge of widespread COVID-19 vaccination. The island's record of vaccination has and continues to be exemplary by all standards, and is effective due to a confluence of reasons. Among these are the nation's small population and geographic area, highly efficient government institutions and healthcare programmes, and the state's vigilance to provide public information about vaccines. With this model, Singapore will attempt to continue down the path of full vaccination and look to turn a new page after the pandemic.
from yahoo.com:
Singapore variant of COVID-19 unlikely to emerge due to low cases: experts
SINGAPORE — There is "little to no chance" that a local variant of the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, would emerge in Singapore given the city-state's smaller outbreak of cases, said local infectious diseases experts.
There is no evidence of any large outbreaks of more contagious variants imported from overseas despite people who had flown into Singapore and tested positive for the UK variant, added Professor Gavin J Smith, the Duke-NUS Medical School's interim director of the emerging infectious diseases programme.
"This can be credited to the rigorous physical controls, such as mandatory quarantine and stay home notices for people coming to Singapore. If community cases emerge, we have very effective tracking and testing capabilities, combined with social distancing, to prevent large outbreaks," Prof Smith added.
In end-January, the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed that 25 cases of the UK variant were detected here between 23 December last year and 26 January. No other variants were detected in Singapore then, according to authorities.
Dr Paul Tambyah, senior consultant at Singapore's National University Hospital, also noted that the number of COVID-19 cases here has been relatively low recently. As such, the president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases said it is unlikely that local authorities would find new mutations.
More contagious strains of the virus, such as those first detected in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa, have triggered global concern, with new variants emerging recently in the Philippines and India.
For instance, the UK variant – or the B.1.1.7 strain – was first detected in September last year and is said to be up to 70 per cent more transmissible than previously dominant variants. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the strain has spread to over 100 countries, including Singapore.
Japanese health authorities on Monday (5 April) expressed concern that imported variants of the coronavirus are driving a nascent fourth wave of cases in the country, about three-and-a-half months ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Singapore has recorded 60,554 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, of which 3,711 are imported. Comparatively, the UK has over 4.36 million COVID-19 infections, Brazil has some 13.1 million cases and South Africa has 1.55 million cases.
Prof Smith said that while some variants spread more easily, there is no conclusive evidence that they are more deadly – the biggest concern currently is whether they are resistant to existing vaccines.
"So far, the evidence shows that vaccines can still prevent infection and major sickness, but the effectiveness of some of the vaccines is lower against some of the strains," according to Prof Smith.
Among the variants, most of the vaccines work well against the UK strain, he said. But only a few have been tested against the South African variant and in those tests, a drop in the vaccine’s effectiveness has been documented, he added.
Nevertheless, it is important to understand that vaccines still provide "excellent protection" against COVID-19, with growing evidence that they reduce virus transmission and consequently, the burden on the healthcare system, said Prof Smith.
"In summary, we already have what we need – physical controls and vaccines – to deal with these variants in Singapore," he noted.
At the time of publication, the MOH has not replied to queries by Yahoo News Singapore on the updated number of cases of the UK variant as well as other variants circulating in Singapore, if any.
According to the WHO's weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 dated 30 March, the South African variant – or the B.1.351 strain – has been listed under Singapore as "unverified" by local authorities.
Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said he has "no doubt" that some variants, including the B.1.351 strain, are in Singapore but noted that the damage has been minimal "so far".
"We can improve and upgrade our safety measures just as the virus upgraded its transmissibility, simply by using certified masks," he cautioned.
Singapore variant of COVID-19 unlikely to emerge due to low cases: experts
SINGAPORE — There is "little to no chance" that a local variant of the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, would emerge in Singapore given the city-state's smaller outbreak of cases, said local infectious diseases experts.
There is no evidence of any large outbreaks of more contagious variants imported from overseas despite people who had flown into Singapore and tested positive for the UK variant, added Professor Gavin J Smith, the Duke-NUS Medical School's interim director of the emerging infectious diseases programme.
"This can be credited to the rigorous physical controls, such as mandatory quarantine and stay home notices for people coming to Singapore. If community cases emerge, we have very effective tracking and testing capabilities, combined with social distancing, to prevent large outbreaks," Prof Smith added.
In end-January, the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed that 25 cases of the UK variant were detected here between 23 December last year and 26 January. No other variants were detected in Singapore then, according to authorities.
Dr Paul Tambyah, senior consultant at Singapore's National University Hospital, also noted that the number of COVID-19 cases here has been relatively low recently. As such, the president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases said it is unlikely that local authorities would find new mutations.
More contagious strains of the virus, such as those first detected in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa, have triggered global concern, with new variants emerging recently in the Philippines and India.
For instance, the UK variant – or the B.1.1.7 strain – was first detected in September last year and is said to be up to 70 per cent more transmissible than previously dominant variants. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the strain has spread to over 100 countries, including Singapore.
Japanese health authorities on Monday (5 April) expressed concern that imported variants of the coronavirus are driving a nascent fourth wave of cases in the country, about three-and-a-half months ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Singapore has recorded 60,554 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, of which 3,711 are imported. Comparatively, the UK has over 4.36 million COVID-19 infections, Brazil has some 13.1 million cases and South Africa has 1.55 million cases.
Prof Smith said that while some variants spread more easily, there is no conclusive evidence that they are more deadly – the biggest concern currently is whether they are resistant to existing vaccines.
"So far, the evidence shows that vaccines can still prevent infection and major sickness, but the effectiveness of some of the vaccines is lower against some of the strains," according to Prof Smith.
Among the variants, most of the vaccines work well against the UK strain, he said. But only a few have been tested against the South African variant and in those tests, a drop in the vaccine’s effectiveness has been documented, he added.
Nevertheless, it is important to understand that vaccines still provide "excellent protection" against COVID-19, with growing evidence that they reduce virus transmission and consequently, the burden on the healthcare system, said Prof Smith.
"In summary, we already have what we need – physical controls and vaccines – to deal with these variants in Singapore," he noted.
At the time of publication, the MOH has not replied to queries by Yahoo News Singapore on the updated number of cases of the UK variant as well as other variants circulating in Singapore, if any.
According to the WHO's weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 dated 30 March, the South African variant – or the B.1.351 strain – has been listed under Singapore as "unverified" by local authorities.
Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said he has "no doubt" that some variants, including the B.1.351 strain, are in Singapore but noted that the damage has been minimal "so far".
"We can improve and upgrade our safety measures just as the virus upgraded its transmissibility, simply by using certified masks," he cautioned.
from yahoo.com:
COVID-19: Vaccinated migrant worker is sole new local case
SINGAPORE — A 23 year-old Indian migrant worker who completed his COVID-19 vaccination doses in February has been confirmed as the sole locally transmitted case in Singapore on Sunday (11 April).
The individual, who lives in a migrant workers' dormitory, received his first dose of the vaccine on 25 January, and the second dose on 17 February. This likely accounts for his lack of symptoms and positive serology test, as he has produced antibodies following the vaccination, said MOH.
"This case is a reminder that it is possible for vaccinated individuals to get infected. But the vaccine is effective in preventing symptomatic disease for the vast majority of those vaccinated," added the ministry.
Additionally, there are also 19 new imported cases, all of whom have already been placed on Stay-Home Notice (SHN) since their arrival in Singapore.
This takes the country's total case count to 60,653.
Infected after vaccination
The migrant worker is employed by Seafront Support Company Pte Ltd as a lashing specialist. He resides in a dormitory located at Brani Terminal Avenue.
He was detected when he was tested on Wednesday as part of Rostered Routine Testing (RRT). His pooled test result came back positive the next day, and he was immediately isolated. An individual test was done on 9 April, and his test result came back positive the next day.
He was subsequently conveyed to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. His earlier tests from RRT – the last being on 24 March – were all negative. His serology test result came back positive but MOH's assessment is that this is likely a current infection.
"Further research is required to determine if the vaccination will also prevent onward transmission of the infection," said MOH.
Epidemiological investigations are in progress. All the identified close contacts of the case, including his dormitory and workplace contacts, have been isolated and placed on quarantine, and will be tested at the start and end of their quarantine period in order to detect asymptomatic cases.
Serological tests will also be conducted for the close contacts to determine if the case could have been infected by them.
Community cases
Overall, the number of new cases in the community has remained stable at two per week in the past fortnight, said MOH. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also remained stable at two per week in the past two weeks.
Amongst the 175 confirmed cases reported from 5-11 April, 68 cases have tested positive for their serology tests, 74 have tested negative, and 33 serology test results are pending.
Imported cases
Amongst the 19 imported cases:
Most of the 58 hospitalised cases are stable or improving, while one of them is in the intensive care unit.
A total of 230 patients – with mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive – are isolated and cared for at community facilities.
Apart from the 30 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 15 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four, whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease.
Separately, the Singapore Flyer and Time Capsule has been listed among the additional public places recently visited by COVID-19 cases in the community.
COVID-19: Vaccinated migrant worker is sole new local case
SINGAPORE — A 23 year-old Indian migrant worker who completed his COVID-19 vaccination doses in February has been confirmed as the sole locally transmitted case in Singapore on Sunday (11 April).
The individual, who lives in a migrant workers' dormitory, received his first dose of the vaccine on 25 January, and the second dose on 17 February. This likely accounts for his lack of symptoms and positive serology test, as he has produced antibodies following the vaccination, said MOH.
"This case is a reminder that it is possible for vaccinated individuals to get infected. But the vaccine is effective in preventing symptomatic disease for the vast majority of those vaccinated," added the ministry.
Additionally, there are also 19 new imported cases, all of whom have already been placed on Stay-Home Notice (SHN) since their arrival in Singapore.
This takes the country's total case count to 60,653.
Infected after vaccination
The migrant worker is employed by Seafront Support Company Pte Ltd as a lashing specialist. He resides in a dormitory located at Brani Terminal Avenue.
He was detected when he was tested on Wednesday as part of Rostered Routine Testing (RRT). His pooled test result came back positive the next day, and he was immediately isolated. An individual test was done on 9 April, and his test result came back positive the next day.
He was subsequently conveyed to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. His earlier tests from RRT – the last being on 24 March – were all negative. His serology test result came back positive but MOH's assessment is that this is likely a current infection.
"Further research is required to determine if the vaccination will also prevent onward transmission of the infection," said MOH.
Epidemiological investigations are in progress. All the identified close contacts of the case, including his dormitory and workplace contacts, have been isolated and placed on quarantine, and will be tested at the start and end of their quarantine period in order to detect asymptomatic cases.
Serological tests will also be conducted for the close contacts to determine if the case could have been infected by them.
Community cases
Overall, the number of new cases in the community has remained stable at two per week in the past fortnight, said MOH. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also remained stable at two per week in the past two weeks.
Amongst the 175 confirmed cases reported from 5-11 April, 68 cases have tested positive for their serology tests, 74 have tested negative, and 33 serology test results are pending.
Imported cases
Amongst the 19 imported cases:
- One is a Singaporean and five are permanent residents who returned from India and Indonesia
- Two are dependant's pass holders who arrived from India
- 10 are work permit holders who arrived from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines, of whom four are foreign domestic workers
- One is a short-term visit pass holder who arrived from India for studies in Singapore
Most of the 58 hospitalised cases are stable or improving, while one of them is in the intensive care unit.
A total of 230 patients – with mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive – are isolated and cared for at community facilities.
Apart from the 30 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 15 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four, whose deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease.
Separately, the Singapore Flyer and Time Capsule has been listed among the additional public places recently visited by COVID-19 cases in the community.
from yahoo.com:
Over 1,800 fines imposed for failure to wear mask from last April to end-Jan: MSE
SINGAPORE — Over 1,800 fines were issued to those who did not wear masks from April last year to end-January, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in response to media queries.
Separately, as of end-December, there were 296 cases involving at least one charge convicted under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, according to the State Courts. A breakdown on the specific nature of the offences – for instance, whether they are improper mask-wearing or breaching of safe distancing measures – are not available.
Of the 296 cases, 227 were sentenced with fines and 43 with jail terms. Twenty-three were given other types of sentences including probation, reformative training as well as community-based ones, while the remaining three were sentenced to a combination including fines and others.
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act was passed by Parliament on 7 April last year, the same day Singapore entered a two-month circuit breaker period. It allows, amongst other things, Singapore's Health Minister to put in place measures to restrict the movement of people in specified places, as well as to limit the usage of specific premises and facilities.
Many amendments have been made to the Act since, as Singapore made its move into the different phases of its reopening.
These include a ban on singing and dancing as well as performances made on any wind musical instruments during the solemnisation of marriages and on the shouting of auspicious phrases, be it by patrons or staff members, during lohei.
Mask-wearing for people in Singapore aged six and above when they step out of their residences was made mandatory from 14 April last year, with some exceptions. Those who do not comply face a $300 fine for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders face higher fines or prosecution in court for egregious cases.
If convicted in court, the penalty for first-time offenders under the Act is up to a $10,000 fine, a jail term of up to six months, or both. For second-time or subsequent offenders, the penalty is a fine of up to $20,000 along with a jail term of up to a year.
"COVID-19 remains a serious threat. We strongly urge members of the public to continue to observe the tightened measures announced on 22 January by the multi-ministry taskforce, and to refrain from visiting potentially crowded areas during peak hours and weekends, and to plan their visits during off-peak hours instead," said the MSE in its reply on 19 March.
The ministry also reminded members of the public to wear a mask at all times when out of home, unless eating, drinking, or engaging in exercise, and to observe maximum group sizes and one-metre safe distancing in public spaces.
"Our safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers are working hard to enforce adherence to safe distancing measures and safe management measures. All of us must comply with these measures to avoid a resurgence in community cases, which could have devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods," added the MSE.
Over 1,800 fines imposed for failure to wear mask from last April to end-Jan: MSE
SINGAPORE — Over 1,800 fines were issued to those who did not wear masks from April last year to end-January, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in response to media queries.
Separately, as of end-December, there were 296 cases involving at least one charge convicted under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, according to the State Courts. A breakdown on the specific nature of the offences – for instance, whether they are improper mask-wearing or breaching of safe distancing measures – are not available.
Of the 296 cases, 227 were sentenced with fines and 43 with jail terms. Twenty-three were given other types of sentences including probation, reformative training as well as community-based ones, while the remaining three were sentenced to a combination including fines and others.
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act was passed by Parliament on 7 April last year, the same day Singapore entered a two-month circuit breaker period. It allows, amongst other things, Singapore's Health Minister to put in place measures to restrict the movement of people in specified places, as well as to limit the usage of specific premises and facilities.
Many amendments have been made to the Act since, as Singapore made its move into the different phases of its reopening.
These include a ban on singing and dancing as well as performances made on any wind musical instruments during the solemnisation of marriages and on the shouting of auspicious phrases, be it by patrons or staff members, during lohei.
Mask-wearing for people in Singapore aged six and above when they step out of their residences was made mandatory from 14 April last year, with some exceptions. Those who do not comply face a $300 fine for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders face higher fines or prosecution in court for egregious cases.
If convicted in court, the penalty for first-time offenders under the Act is up to a $10,000 fine, a jail term of up to six months, or both. For second-time or subsequent offenders, the penalty is a fine of up to $20,000 along with a jail term of up to a year.
"COVID-19 remains a serious threat. We strongly urge members of the public to continue to observe the tightened measures announced on 22 January by the multi-ministry taskforce, and to refrain from visiting potentially crowded areas during peak hours and weekends, and to plan their visits during off-peak hours instead," said the MSE in its reply on 19 March.
The ministry also reminded members of the public to wear a mask at all times when out of home, unless eating, drinking, or engaging in exercise, and to observe maximum group sizes and one-metre safe distancing in public spaces.
"Our safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers are working hard to enforce adherence to safe distancing measures and safe management measures. All of us must comply with these measures to avoid a resurgence in community cases, which could have devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods," added the MSE.
from msn.com:
People in Singapore can choose Pfizer or Moderna shots at vaccination centres: report
SINGAPORE — People in Singapore who are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination can choose from the list of centres administering either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shots, according to a report by The Straits Times (ST).
There are currently 27 vaccination centres located across the island where the Pfizer shots are being administered. Twenty polyclinics and Public Health Preparedness Clinics are also providing the same vaccination type.
Last month, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that Singapore would begin using the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from 17 March at four vaccination centres: Hong Kah North Community Club (CC), Marsiling CC, Punggol 21 CC and Radin Mas CC. Seven more centres administering the Moderna shots have since been added: Kolam Ayer Community Club, Buona Vista Community Club, Potong Pasir Community Club, Tampines East Community Club, Woodlands Community Club, Kebun Baru Community Club, and Yew Tee Community Club.
According to a set of FAQs on MOH website, one question states, "Which vaccine will we get? Will we be able to choose which brand of vaccines we receive?" to which the answer is, "You will not be able to choose the brand of vaccine you receive. To date, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been authorised for pandemic use by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Both mRNA vaccines and have met the stringent safety and efficacy criteria required by HSA. In administering our vaccination programme, we will consider which vaccines are most appropriate for different population subgroups in Singapore."
On 5 April, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament said the MOH will be conducting further studies to monitor and review the extent and duration of immunity provided by the COVID-19 vaccines.
Trial studies have shown that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines – the only two vaccines approved for use here – proved to be effective for at least sixand three months, respectively. Immunity from Moderna's vaccine should last at least a year, said the company a month after the study results were released in December last year.
On the same day, Dr Janil announced that residents in Singapore aged under 45 will be invited to book their COVID-19 vaccination slots from June.
About half, or close to 500,000 residents, of those aged 45 to 59 – who were invited to book their slots from 24 March – have already registered for their slots, Dr Janil said.
About 60 per cent of eligible seniors aged 70 and above and close to 70 per cent of those aged 60 to 69 have received the COVID-19 vaccination or booked their vaccination appointments to date, he added.
People in Singapore can choose Pfizer or Moderna shots at vaccination centres: report
SINGAPORE — People in Singapore who are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination can choose from the list of centres administering either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shots, according to a report by The Straits Times (ST).
There are currently 27 vaccination centres located across the island where the Pfizer shots are being administered. Twenty polyclinics and Public Health Preparedness Clinics are also providing the same vaccination type.
Last month, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that Singapore would begin using the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from 17 March at four vaccination centres: Hong Kah North Community Club (CC), Marsiling CC, Punggol 21 CC and Radin Mas CC. Seven more centres administering the Moderna shots have since been added: Kolam Ayer Community Club, Buona Vista Community Club, Potong Pasir Community Club, Tampines East Community Club, Woodlands Community Club, Kebun Baru Community Club, and Yew Tee Community Club.
According to a set of FAQs on MOH website, one question states, "Which vaccine will we get? Will we be able to choose which brand of vaccines we receive?" to which the answer is, "You will not be able to choose the brand of vaccine you receive. To date, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been authorised for pandemic use by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Both mRNA vaccines and have met the stringent safety and efficacy criteria required by HSA. In administering our vaccination programme, we will consider which vaccines are most appropriate for different population subgroups in Singapore."
On 5 April, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament said the MOH will be conducting further studies to monitor and review the extent and duration of immunity provided by the COVID-19 vaccines.
Trial studies have shown that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines – the only two vaccines approved for use here – proved to be effective for at least sixand three months, respectively. Immunity from Moderna's vaccine should last at least a year, said the company a month after the study results were released in December last year.
On the same day, Dr Janil announced that residents in Singapore aged under 45 will be invited to book their COVID-19 vaccination slots from June.
About half, or close to 500,000 residents, of those aged 45 to 59 – who were invited to book their slots from 24 March – have already registered for their slots, Dr Janil said.
About 60 per cent of eligible seniors aged 70 and above and close to 70 per cent of those aged 60 to 69 have received the COVID-19 vaccination or booked their vaccination appointments to date, he added.
from yahoo.com:
Scoot barred from landing flights from Singapore in Hong Kong for 2 weeks
SINGAPORE — Singaporean budget airline Scoot will be barred from landing flights from Singapore in Hong Kong from Friday (16 April) to 29 April after two passengers on a flight to the territory were confirmed to have COVID-19 and one other had flouted pandemic-related rules, said Hong Kong authorities on Thursday.
Flight TR980 operated by Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), had arrived from Singapore to Hong Kong on 11 April with the two passengers who tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release issued by the territory's government detailing its daily coronavirus virus cases.
The two passengers were confirmed to be infected after their specimens were collected at Hong Kong's Department of Health (DH) Temporary Specimen Collection Centre.
The other passenger had failed to comply with requirements under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H), the release said.
"The DH thus invoked the regulation to prohibit landing of passenger flights from Singapore operated by SCOOT in Hong Kong from 16 April to 29," it added.
In response to Yahoo News Singapore's media queries, a Scoot spokesperson confirmed that the company was asked on Wednesday by Hong Kong authorities to temporarily suspend its daily passenger service from Singapore to Hong Kong.
The airline added that its passenger service from Hong Kong to Singapore is not affected.
"Two transfer passengers on flight TR980 on 11 April, who carried valid negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results, tested positive on arrival in Hong Kong," it said.
A third transfer passenger, on board the same flight, tested negative on the pre-departure COVID-19 test as well as tested negative on arrival in Hong Kong, the airline added.
"However, this passenger’s test and travel visa supporting documents were found to not fully meet Hong Kong’s regulatory requirements," it said.
Scoot also added that it will work closely with its ground handling agents to reinforce its protocols and staff training in conducting document checks at its departure points and to ensure that its passengers comply with all regulatory requirements.
"For affected passengers booked on TR980 departing from 16 April onwards, Scoot will provide re-booking where possible or offer a full refund. Scoot sincerely apologises to our customers for the inconvenience caused," the airline said.
Scoot's suspension comes less than two weeks after Hong Kong authorities banned SIA from landing any passenger flights arriving from Singapore in Hong Kong from 3 April to this Friday.
The suspension was due to one passenger testing positive for COVID-19 on the airline's Flight SQ882, which landed in Hong Kong from Singapore on 31 March, as well as three passengers who failed to comply with the same requirements as in the Scoot case.
On Tuesday, in response to media queries, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said Singapore and Hong Kong are in "active discussion" on starting the air travel bubble between the two cities.
"We are finalising the details of our revised agreement and hope to announce our plans soon," he added in a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport.
This comes on the same day Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam said that "the basis for discussion" with Singapore is for vaccination to be made mandatory for people leaving Hong Kong and entering Singapore.
Travel bubble arrangements between the two cities – announced on 11 November – were originally scheduled to begin on 22 November. But the arrangements were postponed for two weeks a day before they were to begin, after a surge in COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong.
They were further postponed indefinitely in December as local unlinked COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong had remained high.
Scoot barred from landing flights from Singapore in Hong Kong for 2 weeks
SINGAPORE — Singaporean budget airline Scoot will be barred from landing flights from Singapore in Hong Kong from Friday (16 April) to 29 April after two passengers on a flight to the territory were confirmed to have COVID-19 and one other had flouted pandemic-related rules, said Hong Kong authorities on Thursday.
Flight TR980 operated by Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), had arrived from Singapore to Hong Kong on 11 April with the two passengers who tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release issued by the territory's government detailing its daily coronavirus virus cases.
The two passengers were confirmed to be infected after their specimens were collected at Hong Kong's Department of Health (DH) Temporary Specimen Collection Centre.
The other passenger had failed to comply with requirements under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H), the release said.
"The DH thus invoked the regulation to prohibit landing of passenger flights from Singapore operated by SCOOT in Hong Kong from 16 April to 29," it added.
In response to Yahoo News Singapore's media queries, a Scoot spokesperson confirmed that the company was asked on Wednesday by Hong Kong authorities to temporarily suspend its daily passenger service from Singapore to Hong Kong.
The airline added that its passenger service from Hong Kong to Singapore is not affected.
"Two transfer passengers on flight TR980 on 11 April, who carried valid negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results, tested positive on arrival in Hong Kong," it said.
A third transfer passenger, on board the same flight, tested negative on the pre-departure COVID-19 test as well as tested negative on arrival in Hong Kong, the airline added.
"However, this passenger’s test and travel visa supporting documents were found to not fully meet Hong Kong’s regulatory requirements," it said.
Scoot also added that it will work closely with its ground handling agents to reinforce its protocols and staff training in conducting document checks at its departure points and to ensure that its passengers comply with all regulatory requirements.
"For affected passengers booked on TR980 departing from 16 April onwards, Scoot will provide re-booking where possible or offer a full refund. Scoot sincerely apologises to our customers for the inconvenience caused," the airline said.
Scoot's suspension comes less than two weeks after Hong Kong authorities banned SIA from landing any passenger flights arriving from Singapore in Hong Kong from 3 April to this Friday.
The suspension was due to one passenger testing positive for COVID-19 on the airline's Flight SQ882, which landed in Hong Kong from Singapore on 31 March, as well as three passengers who failed to comply with the same requirements as in the Scoot case.
On Tuesday, in response to media queries, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said Singapore and Hong Kong are in "active discussion" on starting the air travel bubble between the two cities.
"We are finalising the details of our revised agreement and hope to announce our plans soon," he added in a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport.
This comes on the same day Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam said that "the basis for discussion" with Singapore is for vaccination to be made mandatory for people leaving Hong Kong and entering Singapore.
Travel bubble arrangements between the two cities – announced on 11 November – were originally scheduled to begin on 22 November. But the arrangements were postponed for two weeks a day before they were to begin, after a surge in COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong.
They were further postponed indefinitely in December as local unlinked COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong had remained high.
from yahoo.com:
Pofma orders issued on Facebook posts regarding COVID-19 vaccines by Goh Meng Seng
SINGAPORE — Correction orders under the Protection From Online Falsehoods And Manipulation Act (Pofma) have been issued over false allegations that COVID-19 vaccines have causal links with stroke and heart attack, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday (15 April).
The correction directions were issued on posts published on the Facebook pages of "Goh Meng Seng (Satu Singapura)" and "Goh Meng Seng People’s Power Party" on 2 April and 7 April, as well as an article by Singapore Uncensored published on its website and Facebook page on 7 April 2021. Goh is the founder of the opposition party PPP.
The Pofma office was instructed by the Health Minister to issue the directions, the health ministry said in a press release.
MOH said the posts published on Goh's Facebook pages on 2 April implied that "COVID-19 vaccination had caused or substantially contributed to a stroke suffered by a doctor".
The posts published on his Facebook pages on 7 April implied that "COVID-19 vaccination had caused or substantially contributed to the death of an 81-year-old man", it added.
Meanwhile, the article published by Singapore Uncensored on 7 April stated that "an 81-year-old man had passed away from alleged vaccination complications".
MOH said the allegations are false. "As of 14 April 2021, there is no credible evidence for an increased risk of heart attack or stroke with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines which are currently approved and offered in Singapore," it added.
The doctor's current condition was assessed to be "highly unlikely to be related to the COVID-19 vaccination"," said MOH.
In the separate case of the 81-year-old man, MOH said the cause of death was ischaemic heart disease, or lack of blood circulation to the heart muscles.
"The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Forensic Medicine Division has reported that based on the post-mortem, there was no evidence of acute anaphylaxis or an allergic reaction at the injection site of the COVID-19 vaccine. There was extensive narrowing of the three main blood vessels supplying blood to the muscles of the heart due to atherosclerosis (build up of plaques over time in the blood vessels that obstruct blood flow)," MOH said.
Yahoo News Singapore sent queries to MOH on 7 April regarding the allegations about the man’s death in two Facebook posts, but has yet to receive a response.
Pofma orders issued on Facebook posts regarding COVID-19 vaccines by Goh Meng Seng
SINGAPORE — Correction orders under the Protection From Online Falsehoods And Manipulation Act (Pofma) have been issued over false allegations that COVID-19 vaccines have causal links with stroke and heart attack, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday (15 April).
The correction directions were issued on posts published on the Facebook pages of "Goh Meng Seng (Satu Singapura)" and "Goh Meng Seng People’s Power Party" on 2 April and 7 April, as well as an article by Singapore Uncensored published on its website and Facebook page on 7 April 2021. Goh is the founder of the opposition party PPP.
The Pofma office was instructed by the Health Minister to issue the directions, the health ministry said in a press release.
MOH said the posts published on Goh's Facebook pages on 2 April implied that "COVID-19 vaccination had caused or substantially contributed to a stroke suffered by a doctor".
The posts published on his Facebook pages on 7 April implied that "COVID-19 vaccination had caused or substantially contributed to the death of an 81-year-old man", it added.
Meanwhile, the article published by Singapore Uncensored on 7 April stated that "an 81-year-old man had passed away from alleged vaccination complications".
MOH said the allegations are false. "As of 14 April 2021, there is no credible evidence for an increased risk of heart attack or stroke with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines which are currently approved and offered in Singapore," it added.
The doctor's current condition was assessed to be "highly unlikely to be related to the COVID-19 vaccination"," said MOH.
In the separate case of the 81-year-old man, MOH said the cause of death was ischaemic heart disease, or lack of blood circulation to the heart muscles.
"The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Forensic Medicine Division has reported that based on the post-mortem, there was no evidence of acute anaphylaxis or an allergic reaction at the injection site of the COVID-19 vaccine. There was extensive narrowing of the three main blood vessels supplying blood to the muscles of the heart due to atherosclerosis (build up of plaques over time in the blood vessels that obstruct blood flow)," MOH said.
Yahoo News Singapore sent queries to MOH on 7 April regarding the allegations about the man’s death in two Facebook posts, but has yet to receive a response.
from straitstimes.com:
Hong Kong requires people leaving for Singapore to be vaccinated: Carrie Lam
HONG KONG - Amid resumption of talks with Singapore over a much-delayed travel bubble, Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam has said that Singapore will not impose a requirement on travellers from Hong Kong to be vaccinated before their trip.
But Hong Kong will make it mandatory for people leaving the city for Singapore to be vaccinated, she added.
Mrs Lam was echoing statements made by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau on March 29 when he announced that Hong Kong residents who take part in travel bubble arrangements would have to complete two doses of vaccines and wait at least 14 days after the second jab before they can go on such flights.
Even before the roll-out of the free and voluntary inoculation programme, officials in February said they were reviewing the benefits and incentives people could get in terms of travel and shorter quarantine period once they are vaccinated.
Speaking ahead of her weekly meeting with the Executive Council on Tuesday (April 13), Mrs Lam said: “The basis for discussion with Singapore is that people leaving Hong Kong and entering Singapore need to be vaccinated.
“We want to provide incentives to encourage Hong Kong citizens to get vaccinated.”
When asked about the timeline, Mrs Lam said she “expects an early indication of agreement between the two sides”.
Under the original agreement between Singapore and Hong Kong, passengers have to be tested negative for Covid-19 before they can board the direct flights.
Singapore Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung had previously said on Money FM 89.3 that bilateral travel corridors for vaccinated travellers from places with low- and moderate-infection rates could come in the later half of this year.
He added that the removal of quarantine measures and stay-home notice are key to reviving air travel.
Before that, in early March, Mr Ong told Parliament that there were no plans to require travellers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Singapore.
Talks were restarted after the current wave of infections in Hong Kong was brought under control. The travel bubble was shelved at the last minute in late November, after coronavirus cases spiralled out of control in Hong Kong in the fourth wave of the pandemic. It was again delayed in December after infection numbers spiked in Hong Kong.
Over the past week, the territory has been recording two or three local infections daily. There were 13 new cases, of which three are local, on Tuesday. Hong Kong has more than 11,600 Covid-19 cases and 207 deaths in all.
Mrs Lam had on Monday outlined plans to ease social distancing rules in the city and cross-border measures for people who are vaccinated.
These include allowing up to 12 patrons to a table if the eatery staff and customers are fully vaccinated, as well as letting dine-in services end at 2am instead of the current 10pm.
Mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk areas such as Singapore, Australia and New Zealand could be reduced further to seven days in total or lower.
Compulsory quarantine for visitors was on April 9 lowered to 14 days, with an additional seven-day self-monitoring period.
The earliest at which measures can be relaxed for those vaccinated will be after April 28, the last day of extended social distancing rules, which include mask-wearing and public gatherings of not more than four people.
The vaccination rate in the city of 7.5 million people remains sluggish with over 870,000 doses of the vaccines administered. The six-week old inoculation drive has been dented by concerns over adverse reactions and more than a dozen deaths linked to the Sinovac and Pfizer-BioNTech shots.
But Monday’s proposal to ease rules for those vaccinated led to a doubling of appointments at Hong Kong inoculation centres, Bloomberg reported.
The report added that the start of designated travel bubble flights would not plug the massive losses suffered by Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines, but would at least be a positive development.
Both airlines, without domestic markets to fall back on, have been severely hurt by international travel drying up during the pandemic.
Turning to Hong Kong politics, Mrs Lam on Tuesday morning said it is the right of voters, as stipulated under the city's mini-constitution or Basic Law, that they can choose to cast a blank ballot.
The issue surfaced a week ago after Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said that organising, promoting or appealing for voters to cast blank votes could amount to election manipulation and sabotage.
Mrs Lam added that "there will be an omnibus Bill being read the first time in Legco (Legislative Council) tomorrow (April 14)".
The development comes as the Hong Kong government tries to push through as soon as possible electoral reforms already approved by Beijing.
Hong Kong requires people leaving for Singapore to be vaccinated: Carrie Lam
HONG KONG - Amid resumption of talks with Singapore over a much-delayed travel bubble, Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam has said that Singapore will not impose a requirement on travellers from Hong Kong to be vaccinated before their trip.
But Hong Kong will make it mandatory for people leaving the city for Singapore to be vaccinated, she added.
Mrs Lam was echoing statements made by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau on March 29 when he announced that Hong Kong residents who take part in travel bubble arrangements would have to complete two doses of vaccines and wait at least 14 days after the second jab before they can go on such flights.
Even before the roll-out of the free and voluntary inoculation programme, officials in February said they were reviewing the benefits and incentives people could get in terms of travel and shorter quarantine period once they are vaccinated.
Speaking ahead of her weekly meeting with the Executive Council on Tuesday (April 13), Mrs Lam said: “The basis for discussion with Singapore is that people leaving Hong Kong and entering Singapore need to be vaccinated.
“We want to provide incentives to encourage Hong Kong citizens to get vaccinated.”
When asked about the timeline, Mrs Lam said she “expects an early indication of agreement between the two sides”.
Under the original agreement between Singapore and Hong Kong, passengers have to be tested negative for Covid-19 before they can board the direct flights.
Singapore Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung had previously said on Money FM 89.3 that bilateral travel corridors for vaccinated travellers from places with low- and moderate-infection rates could come in the later half of this year.
He added that the removal of quarantine measures and stay-home notice are key to reviving air travel.
Before that, in early March, Mr Ong told Parliament that there were no plans to require travellers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Singapore.
Talks were restarted after the current wave of infections in Hong Kong was brought under control. The travel bubble was shelved at the last minute in late November, after coronavirus cases spiralled out of control in Hong Kong in the fourth wave of the pandemic. It was again delayed in December after infection numbers spiked in Hong Kong.
Over the past week, the territory has been recording two or three local infections daily. There were 13 new cases, of which three are local, on Tuesday. Hong Kong has more than 11,600 Covid-19 cases and 207 deaths in all.
Mrs Lam had on Monday outlined plans to ease social distancing rules in the city and cross-border measures for people who are vaccinated.
These include allowing up to 12 patrons to a table if the eatery staff and customers are fully vaccinated, as well as letting dine-in services end at 2am instead of the current 10pm.
Mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk areas such as Singapore, Australia and New Zealand could be reduced further to seven days in total or lower.
Compulsory quarantine for visitors was on April 9 lowered to 14 days, with an additional seven-day self-monitoring period.
The earliest at which measures can be relaxed for those vaccinated will be after April 28, the last day of extended social distancing rules, which include mask-wearing and public gatherings of not more than four people.
The vaccination rate in the city of 7.5 million people remains sluggish with over 870,000 doses of the vaccines administered. The six-week old inoculation drive has been dented by concerns over adverse reactions and more than a dozen deaths linked to the Sinovac and Pfizer-BioNTech shots.
But Monday’s proposal to ease rules for those vaccinated led to a doubling of appointments at Hong Kong inoculation centres, Bloomberg reported.
The report added that the start of designated travel bubble flights would not plug the massive losses suffered by Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines, but would at least be a positive development.
Both airlines, without domestic markets to fall back on, have been severely hurt by international travel drying up during the pandemic.
Turning to Hong Kong politics, Mrs Lam on Tuesday morning said it is the right of voters, as stipulated under the city's mini-constitution or Basic Law, that they can choose to cast a blank ballot.
The issue surfaced a week ago after Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said that organising, promoting or appealing for voters to cast blank votes could amount to election manipulation and sabotage.
Mrs Lam added that "there will be an omnibus Bill being read the first time in Legco (Legislative Council) tomorrow (April 14)".
The development comes as the Hong Kong government tries to push through as soon as possible electoral reforms already approved by Beijing.
from tnp.sg:
People who want to choose vaccine can refer to MOH website
People who wish to choose which Covid-19 vaccine to take can now refer to the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website, where the full list of vaccination centres and vaccines has been made available.
The Moderna shot is being administered at 11 of the 38 centres, while the rest are using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
People are able to pick the vaccination centre or polyclinic they wish to go to, although a notice on the site adds that certain centres may have limited slots "due to the strong demand for Covid-19 vaccinations in Singapore and limited supplies".
The Pfizer shot was the first Covid-19 vaccine approved for use in Singapore, with the earliest shipments arriving here last December.
MORE CENTRES
Last month, MOH announced that the Moderna vaccine would be administered at four community clubs: Hong Kah North, Marsiling, Punggol 21 and Radin Mas.
Another seven centres have since been added to this list. They are: Kolam Ayer, Buona Vista, Potong Pasir, Tampines East, Woodlands, Kebun Baru and Yew Tee. All other vaccination centres, polyclinics and selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics continue to offer the Pfizer vaccine.
"Each vaccination centre will stock and administer only one type of vaccine," MOH said in a statement last month.
"Individuals must select the same vaccination centre for both their first and second appointments, when booking via the national appointment system."
Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use a newer messenger RNA technology, which involves injecting snippets of the virus' genetic material - and not the whole virus - into the body.
Reported side effects from both vaccines are similar and include pain, swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, vomiting and joint pain after vaccination.
Their efficacy rates are also similar, with Pfizer's at 95 per cent and Moderna's at 94 per cent.
However, the Pfizer vaccine requires two 30-microgram doses taken three weeks apart. In contrast, Moderna's vaccine involves two 100-microgram doses taken four weeks apart.
The Straits Times visited several vaccination centres yesterday, all of which saw a steady stream of people coming and going.
When asked why they chose a particular centre, most people said they simply picked the location closest to their homes.
"I'm here because the centre is near my house," said Mr Toh Hock Seng, 68, who took his second shot at Teck Ghee Community Club. "The brand doesn't really matter to me."
People who want to choose vaccine can refer to MOH website
People who wish to choose which Covid-19 vaccine to take can now refer to the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website, where the full list of vaccination centres and vaccines has been made available.
The Moderna shot is being administered at 11 of the 38 centres, while the rest are using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
People are able to pick the vaccination centre or polyclinic they wish to go to, although a notice on the site adds that certain centres may have limited slots "due to the strong demand for Covid-19 vaccinations in Singapore and limited supplies".
The Pfizer shot was the first Covid-19 vaccine approved for use in Singapore, with the earliest shipments arriving here last December.
MORE CENTRES
Last month, MOH announced that the Moderna vaccine would be administered at four community clubs: Hong Kah North, Marsiling, Punggol 21 and Radin Mas.
Another seven centres have since been added to this list. They are: Kolam Ayer, Buona Vista, Potong Pasir, Tampines East, Woodlands, Kebun Baru and Yew Tee. All other vaccination centres, polyclinics and selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics continue to offer the Pfizer vaccine.
"Each vaccination centre will stock and administer only one type of vaccine," MOH said in a statement last month.
"Individuals must select the same vaccination centre for both their first and second appointments, when booking via the national appointment system."
Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use a newer messenger RNA technology, which involves injecting snippets of the virus' genetic material - and not the whole virus - into the body.
Reported side effects from both vaccines are similar and include pain, swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, vomiting and joint pain after vaccination.
Their efficacy rates are also similar, with Pfizer's at 95 per cent and Moderna's at 94 per cent.
However, the Pfizer vaccine requires two 30-microgram doses taken three weeks apart. In contrast, Moderna's vaccine involves two 100-microgram doses taken four weeks apart.
The Straits Times visited several vaccination centres yesterday, all of which saw a steady stream of people coming and going.
When asked why they chose a particular centre, most people said they simply picked the location closest to their homes.
"I'm here because the centre is near my house," said Mr Toh Hock Seng, 68, who took his second shot at Teck Ghee Community Club. "The brand doesn't really matter to me."
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