Biological Agents and Toxins (COVID-19 Research Laboratory — Exemption) Regulations 2020

Status:

Published in Subsidiary Legislation Supplement
on 02 Apr 2020

No. S 238

Biological Agents and Toxins Act

(CHAPTER 24A)

Biological Agents and Toxins
(COVID-19 Research Laboratory — Exemption)
Regulations 2020

In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 61 and 63 of the Biological Agents and Toxins Act, the Minister for Health makes the following Regulations:

Citation and period in force

1.—(1) These Regulations are the Biological Agents and Toxins (COVID-19 Research Laboratory — Exemption) Regulations 2020.

(2) These Regulations are in force for 2 years starting 2 April 2020.

Definitions

2. In these Regulations —

“clinical sample”, in relation to the COVID‑19 virus, means a sample that may contain the COVID‑19 virus, collected from a person who is, or is suspected to be, infected with the COVID‑19 virus;

“COVID-19 virus” means the biological agent known as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2), also known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‑19) virus, mentioned in item 3(c) under the heading “VIRUSES” in Part II of the First Schedule to the Act;

“environmental sample”, in relation to the COVID‑19 virus, means a sample that may contain the COVID‑19 virus, collected from an area or a surface that is contaminated by a person who is, or is suspected to be, infected with the COVID‑19 virus.

Exemption for research laboratory

3.—(1) Section 6(2)(b) of the Act does not apply to or in relation to a research laboratory that is a certified facility in Singapore carrying out testing of or research development on any clinical sample or environmental sample of the COVID‑19 virus, that does not involve —

(a)	culturing, isolating or purifying any live COVID‑19 virus from the clinical sample or environmental sample; or
(b)	testing the clinical sample or environmental sample on any animal.

(2) Section 6(2) of the Act does not apply to or in relation to a research laboratory that is an uncertified facility in Singapore carrying out testing of or research development on any clinical sample or environmental sample of the COVID‑19 virus in a safe and proper manner, that does not involve —

(a)	culturing, isolating or purifying any live COVID‑19 virus from the clinical sample or environmental sample; or
(b)	testing the clinical sample or environmental sample on any animal.

Made on 2 April 2020.

CHAN YENG KIT

Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Health,
Singapore.

[MH78:70 Vol. 20; AG/LEGIS/SL/24A/2020/2 Vol. 1]

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