Hospitalisation Visitation Guidelines under COVID-19 Endemic Model and Whether Exceptions Can Be Made for Patients in Critical Condition
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns hospitalisation visitation guidelines under the COVID-19 endemic model and whether exceptions exist for critically ill patients, as raised by Mr Yip Hon Weng. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung stated that from 19 August 2021, unvaccinated visitors require a negative COVID-19 test, while fully vaccinated individuals are exempt due to lower transmission risks. Visits are restricted to 30 minutes, with standard patients allowed two registered visitors and very ill patients allowed five, subject to specific bedside capacity limits. Visitors must adhere to strict safety protocols, including wearing high filtration masks and refraining from eating, drinking, or using patient facilities. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung noted that the Ministry will monitor exposure risks and adjust policies as Singapore transitions into the endemic stage.
Transcript
45 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) what will be the hospitalisation visitation guidelines under the COVID-19 endemic model; and (b) whether visitation policies can be relaxed or have further exceptions made for a patient in critical condition especially if visitors are fully vaccinated and willing to don the necessary protective gear.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: We have a responsibility to protect patients and staff in our hospitals from COVID-19 infections. We have had several clusters in the hospitals, have had to close wards, and subject patients and healthcare workers to testing and quarantine.
Given the risk of infections brought in by visitors, from 19 August 2021 onwards, unvaccinated visitors to hospital wards will need to have a valid negative antigen rapid test (ART) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result obtained within the 24 hours prior to their visit. Fully vaccinated persons can also get infected and can shed the virus, but because they have a lower risk of spreading the infection, we will allow these vaccinated visitors to enter hospital wards without the need for a pre-visit COVID-19 test.
All visits will be limited to 30 minutes. Each patient can register up to two visitors for each admission, with only one visitor at the patient’s bedside at any time. Patients who are very ill can register up to five visitors, with two visitors allowed at the patient’s bedside at any time. All visitors to the hospital must wear a high filtration efficiency face mask at all times. They must not eat or drink in the hospital wards. They must not use the patients’ toilets in the wards and they must avoid sitting on patients’ beds.
As we transit into the endemic stages of COVID-19, MOH will monitor the exposure risks in our hospitals and adjust the hospital visitation policy accordingly.