[Updated as of 7 November 2022]

[New] Antigen Rapid Test (ART) Kit Distribution

To encourage Singaporeans to self-test, each household will receive 12 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) kits, with deliveries starting from 21 November 2022.

To continue supporting lower income households who may require more ART kits beyond what is provided, beneficiaries of the Social Service Offices and Family Service Centres may continue to request additional ART kits.

MOH will also be working with the Ministry of Education and Early Children Development Agency to provide these additional ART kits to students from lower-income households.

More information on the provision of these ART kits would be shared with students and parents at a later date.

Expanding Singapore’s network of Quick Test Centres

Regular testing should become a way of life as we adapt to the evolving COVID-19 situation. This will be supported by a comprehensive network of testing infrastructure that is easily accessible islandwide.

In line with this, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has set up or partnered private providers to set up close to 60 Quick Test Centres (QTCs) where members of the public can make an appointment to conduct a self-administered ART under supervision by trained personnel.

•           Each test is priced at $15

•           Can be used to fulfil testing requirements for

o          Workplace requirements under the Rostered Routine Testing regime

o          Pre-event or pre-activity tests

  o          Anyone who wishes to get tested before attending a large-scale event

To augment Singapore’s efforts in providing more accessible QTCs, private QTCs (p-QTCs) will be set up in selected sites (i.e. partnered general practitioners (GPs), mall operators, and hotel groups) located conveniently across the island. At least 60 additional p-QTCs will be set up within the next few weeks.

New affordable self-test ART kits approved for use

On 8 November 2021, the Health Sciences Authority has authorised the Flowflex ART kit under the Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) for self-test use.

This is aimed at bringing down the costs of these tests while ensuring that those authorised for sale in Singapore continue to meet stringent safety and quality standards.

This brings the total number of approved ART kits in Singapore to 9. Additionally, 2 other ART kits have been approved to undergo PSAR registration. These kits are expected to be priced significantly below those of the currently available ART kits.

Encouraging regular self-testing for all

Firms with employees that work onsite and are not already subject to mandatory RRT may apply for 8 ART kits per onsite employee for weekly testing of their staff over a two-month period. Applications are open until 13 October and firms with employees who are unable to work from home are strongly encouraged to apply for ART kits. More details may be found at go.gov.sg/time-limited-rrt-art.

From 1 October 2021, the MOH website will publish a map of areas frequented recently by a larger number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. This can help guide individuals on your movement and activities. Individuals who have been to these hotspots during the same timeframe are encouraged to monitor their health, perform regular ART self-tests throughout the 10 days following their potential exposure, and minimise any unnecessary interaction with others.

Increased weekend testing options for individuals with acute respiratory symptoms

Currently, individuals with acute respiratory symptoms can visit private GP clinics – called Swab and Send Home (SASH) clinics – to take a confirmatory PCR swab test. However, not all SASH clinics are open on weekends to serve such individuals.

To facilitate prompt testing over weekends, from 25 September 2021 (Saturday), MOH will open 8 Regional Screening Centres (RSCs) and 3 Quick Test Centres (QTCs) on Saturdays and Sundays, so that such individuals may get a free confirmatory PCR test.

• Visits to RSCs and QTCs are by appointment only

• More details are at go.gov.sg/ari-covid-19-testing

Symptomatic individuals are encouraged to get their confirmatory PCR test quickly so that they can get appropriate care, if needed. This will also provide earlier protection to family members, colleagues and friends who might otherwise come into contact with the infected individual.

Moderna vaccine dosage

Based on the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V)’s recommendations and to ensure the efficient use of vaccines, from 25 September 2021, vaccination sites carrying the Moderna vaccine will begin administering the vaccine at a dosage of 50mcg for booster doses, as compared to the 100mcg dose used in the primary vaccination course. There are no safety concerns in persons who have already received 100mcg of the Moderna vaccine for their booster dose.