Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Foreign Workers

Debated in Parliament on 10 May 2021.

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Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreign workers in Singapore and the construction industry, whether fully vaccinated construction workers still need fortnightly swab tests, and if work permit applicants vaccinated abroad get reduced Stay-Home Notice.
Minister Josephine Teo stated that vaccination for foreign workers in large dormitories, especially from the construction sector, has begun, with 42,000 fully vaccinated by end April (70% from construction), and more vaccinations will continue as vaccine supply allows.
Fully vaccinated migrant workers now undergo testing every 28 days instead of every 14 days, but this frequency is subject to monitoring and review, as vaccination reduces severe illness risk but not infection or transmission risk entirely.
New work permit applicants vaccinated in their home countries must still complete the same Stay-Home Notice as unvaccinated individuals, though the government will review this as more data on vaccine effectiveness becomes available.

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Miss Cheng Li Hui

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether she can provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreign workers in Singapore and in the construction industry; and (b) whether workers in the construction industry are still required to undergo fortnightly swab tests after full vaccination is achieved; and (c) whether work permit applicants who are fully vaccinated in their home country have reduced days of Stay-Home Notice upon arrival into Singapore.

Mrs Josephine Teo

We have started the COVID-19 vaccination programme for workers staying in large dormitories who are more susceptible to the risk of infection and thus prioritised for vaccination. This included migrant workers from the Construction sector.

By end April, 42,000 migrant workers had been fully vaccinated of which about 70% were from the construction sector. Depending on availability of vaccine supply, MOM and MOH will continue to progressively vaccinate migrant workers in the coming months.

Vaccinated migrant workers will have better protection against becoming seriously ill, but the risk of infection is not zero. In addition, the risk of onward transmission by vaccinated persons is being studied. At present, migrant workers who have received the full course of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines will be tested every 28 days instead of the current 14-day testing cycle. This frequency will be subject to monitoring and review.

For newly arrived migrant workers, the requirements for Stay-Home Notice who are vaccinated in their home countries remain the same as unvaccinated persons for now. The Government is monitoring the vaccine situation, including studies on reduction of transmission risk due to vaccination, and will review these requirements as more information become available.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreign workers in Singapore and the construction industry, whether fully vaccinated construction workers still need fortnightly swab tests, and if work permit applicants vaccinated abroad get reduced Stay-Home Notice.
Minister Josephine Teo stated that vaccination for foreign workers in large dormitories, especially from the construction sector, has begun, with 42,000 fully vaccinated by end April (70% from construction), and more vaccinations will continue as vaccine supply allows.
Fully vaccinated migrant workers now undergo testing every 28 days instead of every 14 days, but this frequency is subject to monitoring and review, as vaccination reduces severe illness risk but not infection or transmission risk entirely.
New work permit applicants vaccinated in their home countries must still complete the same Stay-Home Notice as unvaccinated individuals, though the government will review this as more data on vaccine effectiveness becomes available.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Foreign Workers | PAPERCUTS

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Foreign Workers

Debated in Parliament on 10 May 2021.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreign workers in Singapore and the construction industry, whether fully vaccinated construction workers still need fortnightly swab tests, and if work permit applicants vaccinated abroad get reduced Stay-Home Notice.
Minister Josephine Teo stated that vaccination for foreign workers in large dormitories, especially from the construction sector, has begun, with 42,000 fully vaccinated by end April (70% from construction), and more vaccinations will continue as vaccine supply allows.
Fully vaccinated migrant workers now undergo testing every 28 days instead of every 14 days, but this frequency is subject to monitoring and review, as vaccination reduces severe illness risk but not infection or transmission risk entirely.
New work permit applicants vaccinated in their home countries must still complete the same Stay-Home Notice as unvaccinated individuals, though the government will review this as more data on vaccine effectiveness becomes available.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Miss Cheng Li Hui

Mrs Josephine Teo

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreign workers in Singapore and the construction industry, whether fully vaccinated construction workers still need fortnightly swab tests, and if work permit applicants vaccinated abroad get reduced Stay-Home Notice.
Minister Josephine Teo stated that vaccination for foreign workers in large dormitories, especially from the construction sector, has begun, with 42,000 fully vaccinated by end April (70% from construction), and more vaccinations will continue as vaccine supply allows.
Fully vaccinated migrant workers now undergo testing every 28 days instead of every 14 days, but this frequency is subject to monitoring and review, as vaccination reduces severe illness risk but not infection or transmission risk entirely.
New work permit applicants vaccinated in their home countries must still complete the same Stay-Home Notice as unvaccinated individuals, though the government will review this as more data on vaccine effectiveness becomes available.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Foreign Workers

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Miss Cheng Li Hui

Mrs Josephine Teo

Summary

Questions Identified

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Foreign Workers

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Miss Cheng Li Hui

Mrs Josephine Teo

Summary

Questions Identified