Those renewing their work passes will also need to be vaccinated, according to The Straits Times, citing the Covid multi-ministry task committee. It was said that the new directive will not apply to children under the age of 12 or those who are medically ineligible for vaccination. From February 1, 2022, Covid vaccination will be required for the granting of new applications for work permits, long-term permits, and permanent residence in Singapore.
The new action, which was announced on Sunday, is part of the country’s response to the Omicron variant. “These steps will assist in maintaining our high vaccination rates and facilitating the safe reopening of our society and economy,” the MMTF said, according to Singapore daily. Employers must declare that their work permit holders and dependents are completely vaccinated upon arrival in Singapore at the time of application. As part of the verification process, work permit holders must submit or produce their vaccination certificates.
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Those having digitally verified certificates must upload them to the Vaccination Check Portal system of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Those who do not have digitally verified immunisation certificates must produce them to airlines or ferry operators, or at the checkpoint, before boarding. Unless prior exemptions have been granted, anybody who cannot show the required documentation will not be allowed to board the plane or enter Singapore. Individuals who were vaccinated outside of Singapore must update their vaccination records in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) and will be given a 30-day grace period upon arrival in Singapore to undergo and exhibit a positive serology test result taken at a public health readiness facility.
The vaccine requirement will not apply to minors under the age of 12 who are dependents of work pass holders. Passholders who are medically ineligible for vaccination must provide a doctor’s note at the time of application and will be subjected to a medical examination when they arrive in Singapore.” Following a review and discussion with tripartite partners, we have decided to eliminate the PET concession for unvaccinated persons returning to work on January 15, 2022,” the Ministry of Health announced, according to Channel News Asia. Workers who have received at least one dose of vaccine but have not yet been fully vaccinated will be given until January 31 to finish the immunisation regimen, according to the ministry.
