COVID-19: Living with COVID (Endemic & Opening Up)

[Blueray]

无罩散步  !

and one day before V day, how considerate.

somebody can openly kiss his beloved MIL. 

Edited February 9, 2023 by Blueray

[13177]

Finally they remove this usless mandate mask wearing on public tansport. Lol.

So now masks should have lelong sales liao, no one will buy.

[Tohto]

Finally. 

I have Not put on mask for a long long time.  Force to put when travel on train.

Edited February 9, 2023 by Tohto

[zipping]

Spoiler

 

[bsswan]

See all the HK guys bang heads and jump out their windows.

[13177]

22 minutes ago, Tohto said:

Finally. 

I have Not put on mask for a long long time.  Force to put when travel on train.

How come you need to take train?

[Tohto]

2 minutes ago, 13177 said:

How come you need to take train?

Out for dinner that will drink lah.....

I good boy, don't drink and drive.

[13177]

TraceTogether, SafeEntry to be stepped down, data deleted

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/tracetogether-safeentry-to-be-stepped-down-data-deleted

[Tianmo]

1 hour ago, Blueray said:

无罩散步  !

and one day before V day, how considerate.

somebody can openly kiss his beloved MIL. 

You trying to tell us he has been secretly kissing his beloved MIL? Wah, I mean simply wah!

 

[SGMCF328]

1 hour ago, Blueray said:

无罩散步  !

and one day before V day, how considerate.

somebody can openly kiss his beloved MIL. 

Err which 罩 are you referring to? My friend asking because it is V day you know.  

Edited February 9, 2023 by SGMCF328

[Ender]

44 minutes ago, SGMCF328 said:

Err which 罩 are you referring to? My friend asking because it is V day you know.  

Josephine Teo encourage 无罩 in tight spaces..

[Windwaver]

1 hour ago, 13177 said:

TraceTogether, SafeEntry to be stepped down, data deleted

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/tracetogether-safeentry-to-be-stepped-down-data-deleted

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mask-wearing-feb-13-dorscon-green-mtf-covid-19-3265126

Mask-wearing no longer mandatory on public transport from Feb 13, as Singapore steps down COVID-19 restrictions

The DORSCON level will also be lowered to Green and the pandemic multi-ministry task force stood down.

[Windwaver]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-vaccine-free-financial-support-scale-down-treatment-endemic-3265206

Singapore to further scale back COVID-19 financial support; vaccines and antivirals stay fully subsidised

SINGAPORE: Singapore will further scale back financial support for testing and treatment of COVID-19, although vaccines and oral antivirals will remain fully subsidised for eligible patients, the Health Ministry (MOH) announced on Thursday (Feb 9).

The changes will take effect from Apr 1, and will bring the financial support for COVID-19 testing and treatment in line with that of other acute illnesses.

They follow Singapore's adjustment of the DORSCON level down from yellow to green and further stepping down of community measures from Feb 13.

Speaking at a multi-ministry task force press conference, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted that throughout the pandemic, COVID-19 testing and treatment were generally provided free-of-charge or at a very low fee for residents.

"Given that COVID-19 was an unfamiliar disease, it is important that we removed the uncertainties and concerns on the cost of testing and we have maintained that policy for almost three years.

"In DORSCON Green, we are establishing an endemic, new norm, and living with the disease," he said.

NO MORE FULL SUBSIDY

From April, all COVID-19 patients, including Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, who receive treatment at a hospital or COVID-19 treatment facility will no longer be given a 100 per cent subsidy. This is regardless of their vaccination status.

Instead, regular healthcare safety nets, namely government subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave, will apply to Singaporeans and permanent residents to defray their healthcare expenses.

"We wish to assure lower-income Singaporeans that financial assistance will be available to ensure that healthcare cost remains affordable," the ministry added.

Community isolation facilities will no longer be required for COVID-19, just as they are not required for other endemic diseases like influenza or chicken pox, said MOH.

The Government will maintain some community isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients who want to self-isolate "for valid reasons". But all occupants will be charged for their stay.

As these community isolation facilities are not medical facilities, Singaporeans and permanent residents will not be able to tap on government subsidies, MediShield Life or MediSave to pay for their bills, MOH added.

In primary care settings at polyclinics and general practitioner clinics, all patients must pay for any COVID-19 testing, subject to prevailing subsidies.

FREE VACCINATIONS

COVID-19 vaccinations and oral antivirals will remain fully subsidised for clinically eligible patients. This will apply in outpatient, including primary care, ambulatory settings of public hospitals and nursing homes, until further notice.

COVID-19 jabs under the National Vaccination Programme will continue to be offered free to all Singaporeans, permanent residents, long-term pass-holders and certain short-term pass-holders.

"This is because these are important preventive steps and treatments to avoid severe disease and hospitalisations, and will remain an important part of living with COVID-19," said MOH.

Mr Ong noted that MOH is exploring making all nationally recommended vaccines free under the Healthier SG initiative. While the COVID-19 jab is currently not a nationally recommended vaccine, if it does become one, it could become permanently free under Healthier SG, he said.

Patients with a higher risk of severe COVID-19, such as the immunocompromised and individuals with some comorbidities, may also be referred by their doctors for free telemedicine support.

The ministry reiterated that vaccination remained "our first line of defence" against the disease, and that Singapore's high vaccination rates had enabled Singapore to arrive at the COVID-19 endemic norm today.

Out of the population eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, 83 per cent have received minimum protection, while 48 per cent have an up-to-date vaccination, according to MOH data as of Feb 7.

Individuals are considered up to date with their vaccination if they have at least the minimum protection and their last vaccine dose was received within the past year.

UPDATED VACCINATION GUIDELINES

With the transition to this endemic new normal, the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination has also updated the vaccination guidelines.

Everyone aged five years and above should achieve at least minimum protection – that is, three doses of mRNA or Novavax vaccine, or four doses of Sinovac vaccine.

As for booster doses, those at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19 – people aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable people, and residents of aged care facilities – are recommended to take the jab around one year after the last booster dose. They are urged to receive their booster dose this year when they become eligible for it.

People aged 12 to 59 years who are healthy have a lower risk of severe disease, and a booster will be offered around one year after their last booster dose to enhance protection.

Children aged five to 11 are neither recommended nor eligible for additional doses beyond minimum protection.

Children aged six months to four years continue to be recommended to complete two doses of Moderna/SpikeVax or three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty. They are not recommended nor eligible for additional doses at this time.

All individuals eligible for COVID-19 vaccination may book an appointment at the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres, participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics, polyclinics and Vaccination Centres.

MOH will continue to deploy mobile vaccination teams to heartland locations. From Feb 15 to Apr 2, these teams will be deployed to multiple heartland locations for three days each.

The COVID-19 vaccination requirements for new permanent residents, long-term pass and work pass applications, as well as the renewal of selected work permit holders and S Pass holders in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors or residing in dormitories, will remain in place to maintain the high level of vaccination coverage nationally, MOH added.

From Apr 1, those who recently recovered from COVID-19 will no longer be given temporary exemption from COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

[Stary]

This one is more important. No more pre-departure test when entering SG!

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-border-restrictions-singapore-pre-departure-tests-scrap-3265186

[Wt_know]

from Orange to Green liao

the pangsai paper and maggie mee finish liao or not? lol

Edited February 9, 2023 by Wt_know

[Windwaver]

On 2/9/2023 at 12:58 PM, 13177 said:

TraceTogether, SafeEntry to be stepped down, data deleted

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/tracetogether-safeentry-to-be-stepped-down-data-deleted

https://token.gowhere.gov.sg/faq

1. Do I have to return the TraceTogether (TT) Token? Where can I return the Token?

Yes, the TT Token is a property of the government. Members of the public can return their own TT Tokens, as well as those of their family members and friends, at TT Token return counters situated at all 108 Community Clubs/Centres (CCs). These counters will be open daily from 13 February 2023 to 12 March 2023. The list of CCs and their opening hours can be found on the TokenGoWhere website (https://www.token.gowhere.gov.sg).

For further enquiries, please email [email protected] or call the TT hotline at 6973 6511 (Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm, excluding Public Holidays).

2. Can I return the TT Token via the TT Token vending machines?

The TT Tokens cannot be returned via the vending machines, as the machines are not set up for this purpose.

3. What happens if I do not return the TT Token? Can I keep the Token instead of returning it? What if TT is needed again?

Please return the TT Token if you have it with you. The returned TT Tokens will be refurbished and recycled for use should TT operations be reactivated. If TT is needed again, we encourage those who can use the TT App to do so instead of collecting a TT Token, as the TT App allows for swifter updates and quicker contact tracing. We will prioritise distributing TT Tokens to those who cannot use the TT App, such as seniors, children, and those without smartphones.

4. Do I need to return my TT Token if it is faulty or damaged?

Yes, please return your TT Token, even if it is faulty or damaged. We will be refurbishing and recycling these tokens for distribution to those who need it, should TT operations be reactivated.

5. What should I do if I have lost my TT Token?

Please do all you can to locate the TT Token and return it at the TT counter at any of the Community Centres/Clubs (CCs) from 13 February 2023 to 12 March 2023. The list of CCs and their opening hours can be found on the TokenGoWhere website (https://www.token.gowhere.gov.sg).

6. Can I return the TT Token on behalf of my family members and friends?

Yes, you can return the TT Token on their behalf.

7. Do I need my NRIC/FIN to return my TT Token or those belonging to my family members and friends?

No, you do not need your/their NRIC/FIN to return the TT Token.

8. Is there a deadline for returning the TT Token?

You can return your TT Token at any TT counter situated at all 108 Community Clubs/Centres (CCs) from 13 February 2023 to 12 March 2023. The list of CCs and their opening hours can be found on the TokenGoWhere website (https://www.token.gowhere.gov.sg).

9. Will I receive confirmation upon returning the TT Token?

No, but the returned TT Token will be scanned and recorded in our backend system.

10. What happens to the data collected via the TT Token?

As the pandemic situation stabilised, the Government has progressively stepped down TT, and TT data is no longer collected for contact tracing purposes.

11. How are the TT Tokens recycled?

The returned TT Tokens will be refurbished and recycled for use should TT operations be reactivated.

[13177]

Interesting how many people would still wear mask in public transport when the clock strike 12am? 😂

[Sosaria]

6 minutes ago, 13177 said:

Interesting how many people would still wear mask in public transport when the clock strike 12am? 😂

People who feel vulnerable to flu and some of the elderly will still continue to wear, I guess. Currently in my workplace i see some of the older staff (50s above) continue to wear the mask as they go about their work. Covid did not disappear, and all the long-term effects are still there. So I think there are some people who prefer to avoid catching it if they can.