Essential Updates On The COVID-19 Safety Measures From July 12 To Present

[This article has been updated to adhere to the recent announcements given last July 16.]

More COVID-19 safety measures will be eased from July 12 onwards. Here are some of the highlights.

#1: GROUPS OF UP TO 5 PEOPLE CAN DINE-IN AT F&B ESTABLISHMENTS

The limit on groups allowed to dine-in at Food and Beverage (F&B) establishments was raised from 2 to 5. Up to five people can eat together as long as they are all fully vaccinated, equipped with negative Pre-Event Testing (PET) results, proven to recover from COVID-19 within 270 days, or qualify for the 5-person group eligibility rule. You must adhere to other safety measures such as social distancing and always wearing their masks (i.e., except when eating or drinking) too.

Dining-in remains as a higher-risk activity due to having many people unmasked in close proximity with one another. We must do our best to reduce the expulsion of droplets while at these establishments. Thus, entertainment at these places such as live singing and video screening will continue to be prohibited.

#2: WEDDING RECEPTIONS RESUME WITH NO MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE

The wedding receptions have resumed with no more than 250 people allowed with Pre-Event Testing. For wedding receptions with 50 people or less, PET will only be required for the wedding party. The wedding party usually includes the couple, their bridesmaids, and groomsmen.

As wedding reception remains as a higher-risk activity where guests tend to socialize over a long period of time, guests must adhere to all other safety measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

#3: FITNESS STUDIOS AND GYMS MAY CONDUCT INDOOR MASK-OFF EXERCISE ACTIVITIES

Fitness studios and gyms are allowed to conduct indoor mask-off exercise activities in groups of up to 5 people. However, indoor high-intensity mask-off activities will limit to groups of 2 from July 19.

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The cap on class size for both outdoor and indoor mask-on classes will be raised to 50 (i.e., including the instructor) or to the capacity limit of the venue, whichever is lower.

#4: SOCIAL GATHERINGS AT THE WORKPLACE CAN HAPPEN

Despite having work-from-home as a default arrangement, employers are allowed to have social gatherings in the workplace until July 18. Up to 5 people can gather for said gatherings.

Furthermore, employers must ensure that they implement flexible working hours and staggered start times.

#5: ANTIGEN RAPID SELF-TEST KITS TO BE SOLD AT SUPERMARKETS AND CONVENIENCE STORES

Antigen Rapid Test kits were made available at designated local pharmacies from June 16. Fortunately for us, these self-test kits will be available at supermarkets and convenience stores from July 16 onwards.

Customers may also purchase more than 10 kits per person. This will allow the members of the public to buy as many kits as they need.

#6: TRACETOGETHER, SAFEENTRY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE REINTRODUCED IN SUPERMARKETS FROM JULY 21

Ministry of Health stated that the high volume of patrons in supermarkets increases the risk of transmission. Thus, all supermarkets will enforce TraceTogether-only (TT) SafeEntry (SE) and deploy SafeEntry Gateways from July 21.

The reintroduction of this rule will facilitate more targeted contact tracing for people who visited indoor buildings at the same time as an infected person.

According to MOH: “We encourage all members of public to comply with the SE check-in requirements and to carry their TT Token or keep their TT App active to facilitate contact tracing and help protect themselves and their loved ones.”

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When at least half of the population has been vaccinated, differentiated measures for people vaccinated under the national vaccination program will be introduced. The nation is expected to reach this milestone by the end of July.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Each S’pore Household Will Get Free Oximeter From July 5

In part of Temasek Foundation’s Stay Prepared initiative, all households in Singapore will be eligible to collect a free oximeter. The efforts of the Temasek Foundation started due to the emergence of the more infectious COVID-19 variants.

According to Temasek Foundation, “silent pneumonia” is one of the most serious consequences of COVID-19. It occurs when seriously ill people feel generally well, despite having damaged lungs and dangerously low levels of oxygen.

It is important to note that COVID-19 can cause blood oxygen levels to drop. Although you feel okay, oxygen levels may drop. Prolonged low oxygen levels can damage your vital organs. Thus, giving oximeters to Singapore residents will allow them to monitor their blood oxygen levels regularly.

Stay Prepared leaflets with redemption tabs will be sent to letterboxes of every household from June 28 to July 3. You must take the leaflet (with the redemption tab) to any of the participating supermarket and pharmacy outlets of FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Cold Storage, Giant, Watsons, Unity, or Guardian to collect your oximeters from July 5 to August 5. Residents may also collect the oximeters on behalf of other family members or friends by bringing their leaflets along with the redemption tabs.

Check the nearest collection points at stayprepared.sg/oximeter. You can opt to collect during off-peak hours to avoid large crowds. Moreover, Temasek Foundation adds that “there is plenty of stock, so there is no need to rush”.

WHAT ARE OXIMETERS?

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method used for monitoring a person’s oxygen saturation. A pulse oximeter is a medical device that indirectly monitors the oxygen saturation of a patient’s blood as opposed to measuring oxygen saturation directly through a blood sample.

The normal range is 95% – 100%. While you are advised to seek medical attention if your result shows 90% – 94% or <90%. A result of <90% indicates that you are in urgent need of oxygen. Some people may have lower oxygen levels due to pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma.

ADVANTAGES OF OXIMETER

The regular usage of oximeter can help alert a person to seek medical attention when his or her oxygen levels become dangerously low. You do not need rigorous training to be able to use it!

Pulse oximetry is convenient for noninvasive continuous measurement of blood oxygen saturation. Its portable nature entails that you can assess yourself anytime and anywhere.

LIMITATIONS OF OXIMETER

Pulse oximetry is not a complete measure of respiratory sufficiency as it solely measures hemoglobin saturation. It is not a substitute for the blood gas test because it gives no indication of the carbon dioxide levels, base deficit, blood pH, or bicarbonate (HCO3−) concentration.

A blood gas test evaluates the lung function by measuring the blood pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. It also monitors the treatment for lung diseases and detects the acid-base imbalance in your blood.

Moreover, oximeter readings may be inaccurate if you are wearing nail polish or if you have trembling hands. World Health Organization Pulse Oximetry Training Manual adds that some people may normally have low oxygen levels (e.g., smokers or asthmatics).

HOW CAN YOU COLLECT ONE?

STEP 1: BRING YOUR STAY PREPARED LEAFLET

All residential households will receive the leaflet in their letterboxes by 3 July. Please ensure that the redemption tab is intact.

STEP 2: PRESENT THE LEAFLET TO THE STAFF AT THE COLLECTION POINT

Photocopies, digital copies, and redemption tabs without barcode fully intact will not be accepted.

STEP 3: STAFF WILL TEAR OFF THE REDEMPTION TAB

As proof of redemption, the staff will tear off and keep the redemption tab. If an oximeter is faulty, you can exchange your unit in its original condition at Temasek Shophouse (28 Orchard Road) between July 5 and Aug 31.

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Apart from giving out oximeters, Temasek Foundation will also be providing other essential items such as medical-grade surgical masks and povidone iodine mouthwash in the latter half of the year.

Sources: 1 & 2

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