As the city-state lowers its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) rating to green, MASK-WEARING will no longer be legally enforced in Singapore, including in public transportation and healthcare settings. All remaining Covid-related border measures will be eliminated.
While it is no longer required under Covid-19 laws, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will nevertheless require visitors, workers, and patients to wear masks in hospital and residential care settings where there is interaction with patients, as well as in indoor patient-facing locations. These amendments will take effect on February 13, according to the multi-ministerial taskforce on Covid-19, which had its final news conference on Thursday (Feb 9) before being disbanded.
According to taskforce co-chair and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Singapore is making this step since the Covid-19 situation has stayed steady despite increased travel during the year-end holidays and China's change away from its zero-Covid policy.
"This new normal is not static," he warned, warning that the virus will change and that fresh infection waves may emerge. "However, unless it is a very deadly and virulent variation, we will control these waves with an acceptable degree of precautions that will allow us to go about our daily lives."
Separately, Covid-19 testing and treatment will no longer be completely subsidized from April 1. The National Vaccination Programme, however, will continue to provide free vaccines to all Singapore citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and select short-term pass holders.
