By Mei Kuan
The Ministry of Health (MOH) via a recent media statement announced the visiting policies for caregivers and well-wishers at hospitals under the ministry during the transition to the endemic phase of COVID-19.
Based on the current trend analysis for COVID-19 cases of categories 3, 4 and 5 and the low utilisation rate of health facilities specially for COVID-19 cases, the Ministry has reviewed and updated the visiting policies.
Effective today (April 23) at all hospitals under the Ministry, caregivers or well-wishers permitted to accompany or visit patients must fulfil the following general criteria:
- Aged 12 and above;
- Have completed COVID-19 vaccination;
- Not categorised under the high-risk group to be infected with COVID-19 (i.e. those with various comorbidities or immunocompromised);
- Caregivers of certain patient categories need to perform self-tests, done within 24 hours before arrival at hospital. The date and time of test need to be stated with pictures as proof;
- Not a suspected case of COVID-19 or Person Under Surveillance;
- Does not display symptoms of COVID-19; and
- Must fill in a COVID-19 declaration form, abide by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and wear personal protective equipment as required.
According to the statement posted on the official Facebook page of MOH, its implementation is subject to the capacity of the respective hospital and ward.
For non-COVID-19 patients at wards, intensive care units or end of life, visits by family members are permitted but are limited to two visitors at a time. Only one caregiver is allowed for a non-COVID-19 patient who is receiving outpatient treatment or treatment at the emergency department.
For COVID-19 patients, the presence of caregivers is only permitted for patients requiring special care and child patients. No visitors are permitted for COVID-19 patients, except for end-of-life patients at wards or intensive care units, limited to two visitors at a time.
“However, the Ministry would like to stress that in certain situations where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is high, such as an outbreak occurring at the hospital, the hospital can make adjustments to the existing policy to ensure the safety and health of all,” the statement highlighted.
Find the full media statement here.
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