Updates to Health Protocols
Updates to Health Protocols
Changes include the ceasing of Health Risk Notices from 26 April 2022
min read Published on 22 Apr 2022
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[Updated 22 April 2022]

The existing health protocols for COVID-19 cases are simplified so that more can understand the rules and to focus on measures that matter. 

These simplified measures will also allow Singapore to respond more quickly to changes in the pandemic situation, should there be another unknown new variant. 
 
Revised health protocols

Since 6 January 2022, our health protocols have focused on managing COVID-19 cases based on the severity of their symptoms and individual risk factors. 

Lower-risk individuals with mild symptoms can now be immediately diagnosed by their primary care doctors via a healthcare provider-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) and recover safely under Protocol 2; whilst those assessed by their doctors as high risk or with significant symptoms will be managed under Protocol 1. These higher risk patients will also be assessed for placement on the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Home Recovery Programme, or further management or monitoring in a care facility.

Reduction of maximum isolation period for fully vaccinated individuals and children below 12

As local studies have shown that the viral load for Omicron infections is lower than for Delta infections throughout the course of the infection period, the maximum isolation period for fully vaccinated individuals and children below the age of 12 years old for both Protocols 1 and 2 from 10 days to 7 days. The maximum isolation period for unvaccinated individuals aged 12 years old and above will remain at 14 days for both Protocols 1 and 2. 

Expansion of Protocol 2 to paediatric COVID-19 patients 

 
As part of measures that took effect from 25 March 2022, patients aged 12 months to 2 years old are managed under Protocol 2 by default, either at home or under the care of their primary care physicians or paediatricians. For more info, refer to MOH’s latest press release
 
A summary of default COVID-19 patient management by age group can be found in the table below. 
Age             Vaccination Status
 Fully Vaccinated*Not Fully Vaccinated*

<3 months#

Care Facility

3 months to <1 year#

Home Recovery Programme

1 year to <70 years#             

Primary Care Doctors

70 years to <80 years

Primary Care Doctors

Home Recovery Programme
 80 years old and aboveHome Recovery ProgrammeCare Facility

*Individuals may check their vaccination status at here.
 #Children below 5 years old are currently not eligible for vaccinations in Singapore
 

[Updated] Ceasing of Health Risk Notices (HRNs) from 26 April 2022

MOH will stop issuing HRNs to close contacts from 26 April 2022. Individuals infected with COVID-19 will no longer need to submit details of household contacts online.

Individuals should continue to exercise social responsibility. For example, COVID-19 positive persons should inform their close contacts so that the contacts can take the necessary precautions under Protocol 3, i.e. test themselves to be negative before leaving their homes, to prevent further spread.

Settings with vulnerable persons (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes and elderly homes) should request proof of a negative Antigen Rapid Test (ART) result for persons with recent exposure before allowing entry.

A summary of the revised health protocols is as follows:

Protocol 1:

If you are unwell

High-risk individuals or those with severe significant symptoms

  • To undergo both ART and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
  • Those with severe symptoms: the doctor will convey you to hospital for further assessment.
  • For the rest: the doctor will advise you to immediately return home and self-isolate in a room while waiting for your test result.
    • If you test positive, MOH will contact you on your recovery journey. If assessed suitable you may recover under MOH’s Home Recovery Programme. Otherwise, you will be conveyed to a care facility.


Low-risk individuals with mild symptoms:

  • Primary care doctors to administer healthcare ART.
  • If positive, refer to Protocol 2.

Protocol 2:

If you are well* and test positive, or your condition assessed to be mild by a doctor

  • Self-isolate at home for at least 72 hours.
  • If well, may exit self-isolation and resume normal activities upon a negative self-administered ART result.
  • Those who continue to test ART positive to continue to self-isolate and self-test daily until:
    • they obtain a negative ART result; or
    • until 12PM on Day 7 (for vaccinated individuals and children below 12 years old) or Day 14 (for unvaccinated/ partially vaccinated individuals aged 12 years old and above).
  • No Medical Certificate (MC) from a doctor if no symptoms. If doctor has assessed you to have a mild condition, will be issued an MC.
  • Return to the doctor of call 995 in emergency situations if symptoms worsen or do not improve with time.

[Note: MOH will no longer issue a HRN to close contacts from 26 April 2022]

 

Protocol 3:

If you are identified by MOH as a close contact of an infected person

  • Take an ART self-test within 24 hours.
  • Required to self-test with ART daily. Only leave home with negative ART test.
  • No further test needed if tested negative on Day 5.

 

 


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