COVID-19: Living with COVID (Endemic & Opening Up)

[Tkseah]

6 hours ago, Fcw75 said:

Wow, didn’t know our official case is more than 300K liao.

This is because now then start including the ART positives reported by Docs from Jan onwards.  However MMTF still telling pple with mild symptoms to self test no need report, so the true number of cases are still unknown.

[Tkseah]

8 hours ago, zipping said:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/daily-testing-regime-for-vtl-travellers-stopped-no-more-need-to-report-art-results

VTL travellers to take ART only if they leave home, no need to report results

The multi-ministry task force said it was time to simplify the VTL testing regime with community Omicron cases now outstripping imported ones. PHOTO: ST FILE

Clement Yong

Published

5 Hours Ago

SINGAPORE - Those entering Singapore through vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs) from Monday (Jan 24) will no longer need to perform antigen rapid tests (ART) every day, and instead will need to swab themselves only on days that they wish to head out.

They will also no longer be required to submit their ART results via a link given to them, and will just need to make sure they are Covid-19 negative before they leave their place of stay.

The announcement on Friday by the Covid-19 task force effectively ends the strict daily testing regime for VTL travellers that has been in place since Dec 6, and which has helped the authorities detect more than 700 imported Omicron cases to date.

The multi-ministry task force said it was time to simplify the VTL testing regime with community Omicron cases now outstripping imported ones, the lower viral load of the Omicron variant now clear, and more of the population having received their booster jabs.

"This will allow us to focus our testing resources on the community in preparation for an expected spike in the case numbers," said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is a co-chair of the Covid-19 task force.

"Travellers will undergo unsupervised, self-administered ARTs from days two to seven of their arrival only if they intend to leave the residence to go out, and that test must test negative, if they want to go out."

The requirement for an on-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for those travelling by air and an on-arrival ART for those coming across the Causeway will remain.

In addition to the stopping of the daily testing regime, the Covid-19 task force also said on Friday that travellers will no longer need to go to test centres for supervised ARTs on day three and day seven after their arrival, mandated under the current regime.

From Monday, all ARTs will be self-administered and unsupervised. Each ART kit costs about $5, and supervised testing at test centres costs $15. The change should save a traveller $20 in total, assuming he tests himself daily for seven days.

It should also minimise unnecessary travel, especially for those who are Covid-19-positive.

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Singapore likely to see 'significant' Omicron wave, measures in place to cut risks

Will there be changes to Singapore's VTL scheme from today?

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said those who test positive at any point during the seven-day test regime but have minimal symptoms need to self-isolate for only 72 hours at home, and will no longer need to undergo a confirmatory PCR test.

They can then resume normal activities once they test negative after the three-day self-isolation period.

However, MOH said the 50 per cent limit on VTL flights and bus tickets, which was imposed after Jan 20 to limit the country's exposure to imported Omicron Covid-19 cases, will remain.

This followed a freeze on all new ticket sales for VTL flights and buses between Dec 23 last year and Jan 20 this year.

The ministry said it will continue to review the local and global Covid-19 situation and adjust measures accordingly.

Seriously MMTF think VTL pple will do self test if no need to report? I bet that 9 out of 10 will skip the test.

[Etnt]

6 hours ago, Odyssey2011 said:

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 3,155 new COVID-19 infections as of noon on Friday (Jan 21), comprising 2,794 local infections and 361 imported ones.

The weekly infection growth rate is 2.70, up from Thursday's 2.17. A figure above 1 means that the number of new weekly cases is rising. 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-new-cases-omicron-jan-21-moh-icu-hospital-2451336

MOH to change daily reporting of COVID-19 cases to give 'better picture' of epidemic situation in Singapore. 🤣

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/daily-moh-numbers-protocol-2-omicron-ong-ye-kung-covid-19-2450731

Coronavirus level in Singapore ‘unknown’, US CDC says

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3162153/coronavirus-level-singapore-unknown-us-cdc-warns-thailand

🤣

I'm surprised that only double when including ART+.

But at least less fudging of numbers now.

[Lethalstrike]

11 hours ago, Fcw75 said:

Locals capped at 5 pax and booster regime extended down the age group, very soon it's 5-11 year olds. 

Open even bigger and loosely to foreigners. No need supervised ART (u don't take also nobody knows), no need mandatory booster shot for incoming visitors. 

Am I looking at a schizophrenic government with split personalities? I'm sure I am. 

 

[Ody_2004]

1 hour ago, Tkseah said:

Seriously MMTF think VTL pple will do self test if no need to report? I bet that 9 out of 10 will skip the test.

The loophole is that the ART kit here is untraceable... no barcode no QR code.. that can jolly upload the same stick in different background..

The system oso not full proof.. submitted also received email said no submit..

so as a whole it is as good as abolished this toopid system..

the real cases out there i believe many many.. i got colleagues kenna.. just ART sleep at home.. no discharge memo liao oso..

so too many question on our real figures.. since cannot get real figure must well close one eye or TWO Eyes! 🤣

[Odyssey2011]

2 hours ago, Lethalstrike said:

. 

Am I looking at a schizophrenic government with split personalities? I'm sure I am. 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies. Virtual meetings like this Summit, have become the norm. For many of us, “Zooming” now carries a different meaning. But the digital revolution goes far deeper than the way we communicate with one another.……How can we ride on the digital disruption wave to foster economic integration? 

https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-at-the-APEC-CEO-Summit

This format may be suitable for formal business, "but you do not get the same meeting of minds or at least mutual sounding out of one another", he added. "And I think that is very valuable; I hope we will be able to do more."

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/meeting-other-leaders-face-to-face-valuable-cant-be-replicated-by-zoom-calls-pm

Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. - Theodore Roosevelt
 

Edited January 22, 2022 by Odyssey2011

[13177]

4 hours ago, Tkseah said:

Seriously MMTF think VTL pple will do self test if no need to report? I bet that 9 out of 10 will skip the test.

No need to report, no one will be bother ownself test ownself la.

[Nolicense]

25 minutes ago, 13177 said:

No need to report, no one will be bother ownself test check ownself la.

nah.. correct for you

[Odyssey2011]

38 minutes ago, 13177 said:

No need to report, no one will be bother ownself test ownself la.

'Ownself check ownself' is a virtue, S'pore in trouble if Govt can't ensure public accountability: Ong Ye Kung

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ownself-check-ownself-virtue-spore-trouble-if-govt-cant-ensure-public-accountability-ong-ye-kung-1789921

🤣

[Giordanogavin]

5 hours ago, Tkseah said:

Seriously MMTF think VTL pple will do self test if no need to report? I bet that 9 out of 10 will skip the test.

This is to apply ownself check ownself concept 🤪

[Odyssey2011]

Singapore in 'fog of war', must ride Omicron wave before next steps: Ong Ye Kung.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-fog-of-war-omicron-wave-ong-ye-kung-090908540.html

How? Just remain? 🤣

Covid-19 rules will remain during CNY period in view of likely Omicron surge.“We don’t intend to relax further at this time, and we will try not to have to tighten,” he said.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/current-covid-19-rules-will-stay-during-cny-period-in-view-of-omicron-wave-lawrence-wong

S'pore hospitals on standby to activate staff volunteers, workers if Covid-19 cases surge

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-hospitals-on-standby-to-activate-staff-volunteers-workers-if-covid-19-cases-surge

The Ultimate Solo Battle?

Edited January 22, 2022 by Odyssey2011

[Giordanogavin]

16 hours ago, Fcw75 said:

Does not make sense to boost the 12-17years old. These age group already belongs to low risk. 

This is not aligned with WHO recommendations too. 

[13177]

5 minutes ago, Giordanogavin said:

Does not make sense to boost the 12-17years old. These age group already belongs to low risk. 

This is not aligned with WHO recommendations too. 

To MMTF, low risk doesn’t mean no risk. They keep harping that omicron infection rate super high, so risk is there for all age groups. Actually they find all covid variants are high risk la, thats why they keep pushing for vaccine and now booster. 🙄

[Fcw75]

43 minutes ago, Giordanogavin said:

Does not make sense to boost the 12-17years old. These age group already belongs to low risk. 

This is not aligned with WHO recommendations too. 

Mentioned before, it will just keep going down the age group. End of year, become 5-11 years old need booster...who knows?

[Didu]

Welcome back our 四大天王   😁

 

 

[zipping]

Boost all, so can relax and open more vtl...if tio or case worsen, its your fault cos you nvr take safety measures seriously or nvr go take jab or booster.....

[Stratovarius]

4 hours ago, Odyssey2011 said:

'Ownself check ownself' is a virtue, S'pore in trouble if Govt can't ensure public accountability: Ong Ye Kung

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ownself-check-ownself-virtue-spore-trouble-if-govt-cant-ensure-public-accountability-ong-ye-kung-1789921

🤣

They are really encouraging this ownself check ownself virtue. Now extend to ownself test ownself. Next time is ownself eat ownself?

[Jellandross]

Grassroots ppl, civil servants, parents wait listing for branded schools, faster go buy this book. Later can use it to redeem reward points.

 

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by Jellandross