Progress in vaccination and boosters have contributed to the tempering of COVID-19 cases. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced several healthcare measures to further protect and bolster our healthcare capacity.
Lower minimum age for Home Recovery Programme (HRP)
From 10 November 2021, the minimum age for default home recovery will be lowered from 5 years to 3 years old. All children 3 years and older will be allowed to stay at home if their household environment is suitable. They will undergo a telemedicine assessment by a community or hospital paediatrician.
Infants and children from 3 months old to under 3 years of age will also be allowed to recover at home, if they are clinically assessed at hospitals to be suitable for home recovery. All infants under 3 months of age who are infected with COVID-19 will continue to be admitted to hospital.
Four Vaccination Centres (VCs) to be closed and manpower will be re-deployed
Given the good progress in vaccinations and boosters, our National Vaccination Programme (NVP) has shifted focus to booster jabs. As vaccination capacity remains robust overall, the Ministry of Health will be closing four more VCs on 1 December 2021. These four VCs are:
- Kebun Baru CC
- Potong Pasir CC
- Taman Jurong CC
- Geylang Serai CC
All four VCs will continue to accept appointments for Dose Two and booster vaccinations until 30 November 2021.
The healthcare staff currently working in these VCs will be re-deployed to other areas, such as the COVID-19 Treatment Facilities, to bolster manpower needs.
COVID-19 patients unvaccinated by choice to be responsible for own medical bills
Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources. Hence, from 8 December 2021, COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice will be charged for bills at hospitals and Community Treatment Facilities.
These patients may still tap on regular healthcare financing arrangements to pay for their bills, where applicable:
- SCs and PRs may access regular Government subsidies and MediShield Life/ Integrated Shield Plan (MSHL/ IP)
- Long Term Pass Holders may tap on their usual financing arrangements, such as private insurance
The Government will continue to foot the COVID-19 medical bills of the following persons:
- Vaccinated* Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders (SCs/PRs/LTPHs), except for those who were infected after overseas travel
- Those who are ineligible for vaccination, i.e. children under 12 years old or medically ineligible persons
* Individuals who are partially vaccinated until 31 December 2021 will not be charged, to allow them time to be fully vaccinated. From 1 January 2022, only SC/PR/LTPH COVID-19 patients who are fully vaccinated and have not recently travelled will have their COVID-19 medical bills fully paid for by the Government.
For more information, please refer to MOH’s press release.
