[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
| 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 above | Home Recovery Programme | Care 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
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Protocol 2: If you are well* and test positive, or your condition assessed to be mild by a doctor |
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[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 |
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