Infectious Diseases (Mass Gathering Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations 2021

No. S 590

Infectious Diseases Act

(CHAPTER 137)

Infectious Diseases
(Mass Gathering Testing for
Coronavirus Disease 2019)
(Amendment No. 7) Regulations 2021

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 73(1) of the Infectious Diseases Act, the Minister for Health makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations are the Infectious Diseases (Mass Gathering Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations 2021 and come into operation on 10 August 2021.

Amendment of regulation 2

2. Regulation 2(1) of the Infectious Diseases (Mass Gathering Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019) Regulations 2021 (G.N. No. S 273/2021) (called in these Regulations the principal Regulations) is amended —

(a)

by inserting, immediately after the definition of “approved vaccine”, the following definition:

“ “atypical finding for SARS-CoV-2”, for an individual who undergoes an approved test or tests, means a determination by or under the authority of the Director, or by a legally qualified medical practitioner in Singapore, that the individual is neither —

(a)	actively infected with a COVID‑19 infection; nor
(b)	a carrier of COVID‑19,

despite a report by the approved test provider carrying out the approved test or tests that the individual tests positive for SARS‑CoV‑2;”;

(b)

by deleting the definition of “cleared status” and substituting the following definition:

“ “cleared status” means —

(a)	a cleared status (general) that is current; or
(b)	a cleared status (limited) that is current;”;

(c)

by deleting the words “or (4)” in the definition of “cleared status certificate” and substituting the words “, (4) or (5)”;

(d)

by inserting, immediately after the definition of “Control Order”, the following definition:

“ “current”, for any cleared status, has the meaning given by regulation 8A;”;

(e)

by deleting the definition of “recognised vaccination provider” and substituting the following definition:

“ “recognised vaccination provider”, in relation to an approved vaccine, means an individual or a body approved by or accredited with the Government, in relation to the approved vaccine, to administer it for the purposes of these Regulations;”;

(f)

by inserting, immediately after the definitions of “sporting activity” and “sporting event”, the following definitions:

“ “suspended status interval” has the meaning given by regulation 8A(4);

“uncleared junior” means a child who is below 13 years of age and without a cleared status;”; and

(g)

by inserting, immediately after the words “vaccination provider using” in the definition of “vaccinated”, the words “(whether before, on or after 10 August 2021)”.

Amendment of regulation 6

3. Regulation 6 of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)

by deleting the words “cleared status to enter or remain in any restricted place” in paragraph (1) and substituting the words “cleared status (general)”;

(b)

by deleting sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (2) and substituting the following sub‑paragraphs:

“(a)

for a recovered individual who was never vaccinated against a COVID‑19 infection before he or she was diagnosed as having the COVID‑19 infection —

(i)	starting the date the recovered individual first tested positive for SARS‑CoV‑2 upon undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test (whether before, on or after 24 April 2021); and
(ii)	ending on (and including) the 270th day after the date in sub‑paragraph (i); or

(b)

for a recovered individual who is diagnosed as having a COVID‑19 infection after a certificate under this paragraph had been granted in respect of the individual, and who was never vaccinated against a COVID‑19 infection, the period falling after the grant of the certificate —

(i)	starting the date the recovered individual first tested positive for SARS‑CoV‑2 upon undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test leading to the diagnosis of the individual having that infection; and
(ii)	ending on (and including) the 270th day after the date in sub‑paragraph (i).”; and

(c)

by inserting, immediately after paragraph (4), the following paragraphs:

“(5) Despite paragraph (2), (3) or (4), where an individual is diagnosed as having a COVID‑19 infection, after he or she is —

(a)	vaccinated against the COVID‑19 infection; and
(b)	granted a certificate under paragraph (3) or (4),

then the Director or a recognised medical practitioner may, where satisfied that the individual is a recovered individual after that infection or any later infection, grant a certificate stating that the individual has a cleared status (general) for the period —

(c)

starting the date the recovered individual first tested positive for SARS‑CoV‑2 upon undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test leading to the diagnosis of the individual having the last infection he or she recovered from; and

(d)

ending on (and including) —

(i)	the 270th day after the date in sub‑paragraph (c); or
(ii)	the day the period referred to in and applicable to the individual under paragraph (3) or (4) would have ended if the individual had not been diagnosed as having a COVID‑19 infection,

whichever day is later.

(6) The Director may cancel any certificate granted under this regulation stating that an individual has a cleared status (general) if —

(a)

before the end of the period specified in paragraph (2), or referred to in paragraph (3), (4) or (5), as the case may be, and applicable to the individual —

(i)	the individual undergoes an approved test that is a polymerase chain reaction test; and
(ii)	the individual’s test result shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual and that is not an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2; or

(b)

the Director is satisfied that it is the interest of the health and safety of the individual to do so.

(7) To avoid doubt, the period in paragraph (3), (4) or (5) may be a period before 24 April 2021.”.

Amendment of regulation 7

4. Regulation 7 of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)

by deleting the words “cleared status to enter or remain in any restricted place” in paragraph (1) and substituting the words “cleared status (limited)”; and

(b)

by inserting, immediately after paragraph (3), the following paragraph:

“(4) The Director may cancel any certificate granted under this regulation stating that an individual has a cleared status (limited) if —

(a)

before the end of the period specified in and applicable to the individual under paragraph (2)(d) and (e) —

(i)	the individual undergoes an approved test that is a polymerase chain reaction test; and
(ii)	the individual’s test result shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual and that is not an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2; or

(b)

the Director is satisfied that it is the interest of the health and safety of the individual to do so.”.

Amendment of regulation 8

5. Regulation 8 of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)	by inserting, immediately after the words “in that individual” in paragraph (1)(a), the words “or the individual’s test result shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual but it is an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2”;
(b)	by inserting, immediately after the words “except the last” in paragraph (1)(b), the words “, or the individual’s last test result shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual but it is an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2”;
(c)	by inserting, immediately after the words “in that individual” in paragraph (3)(a)(i) and (b)(i), the words “or the individual’s test result shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual but it is an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2”; and
(d)	by inserting, immediately after the words “except the last” in paragraph (3)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii), the words “, or the individual’s last test result shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual but it is an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2”.

New regulation 8A

6. The principal Regulations are amended by inserting, immediately after regulation 8 in Part 2, the following regulation:

“When is cleared status current

8A.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations, an individual who has a cleared status (general) because he or she is granted a certificate under regulation 6(2) does not have a cleared status (general) that is current —

(a)	after the end of the period specified in and applicable to the individual under regulation 6(2);
(b)	during any suspended status interval, even if that interval lies within the period specified in and applicable to the individual under regulation 6(2); or
(c)	after the certificate under regulation 6(2) is cancelled.

(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, an individual who has a cleared status (general) because he or she is granted a certificate under regulation 6(3), (4) or (5) does not have a cleared status (general) that is current —

(a)	after the end of the period referred to in and applicable to the individual under regulation 6(3), (4) or (5), as the case may be;
(b)	during any suspended status interval, even if that interval lies within the period referred to in and applicable to the individual under regulation 6(3), (4) or (5); or
(c)	after the cancellation of the certificate under regulation 6(3), (4) or (5), as the case may be.

(3) For the purposes of these Regulations, an individual who has a cleared status (limited) because he or she is granted a certificate under regulation 7(2), does not have a cleared status (limited) that is current —

(a)	after the end of the period specified in and applicable to the individual under regulation 7(2);
(b)	during any suspended status interval where any part of that interval lies within the period referred to in and applicable to the individual under regulation 7(2); or
(c)	after the certificate under regulation 7(2) is cancelled.

(4) In this regulation, a suspended status interval for an individual granted a certificate under regulation 6(2), (3), (4) or (5) or 7(2), means any of the following periods falling after the grant of that certificate:

(a)

the period that he or she is subject to a movement control measure for any reason other than being actively infected with a COVID‑19 infection or being a carrier of COVID‑19;

(b)

the period —

(i)	starting the time (not date) the individual first tests positive for SARS‑CoV‑2 upon undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test; and
(ii)	ending on (and including) the day those test results are determined to be an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2;

(c)

the period —

(i)	starting the time (not date) the individual first tests positive for SARS‑CoV‑2 upon undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test if that is determined not to be an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2;
(ii)	continuing for the period of isolation under an order under section 15 of the Act given to the individual because of a COVID‑19 infection ascertained from the test results in sub‑paragraph (i); and
(iii)	ending on (and including) the 7th day after the last day of the period of isolation mentioned in sub‑paragraph (ii);

(d)

the period —

(i)	starting the time (not date) the individual undergoes any approved test that is an antigen rapid test (or the first of 2 such approved tests if there is more than one) carried out by an approved test provider where the test result of the antigen rapid test shows the presence of SARS‑CoV‑2 in that individual; and
(ii)	ending the time (not date) the individual’s test result after undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test, is treated as negative for SARS‑CoV‑2 or an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2;

(e)

the period —

(i)

starting the time (not date) the individual undergoes any approved test that is an antigen rapid test (or the first of 2 such approved tests if there is more than one) carried out by an approved test provider where the test result of the antigen rapid test is uncertain or invalid; and

(ii)

ending the time (not date) the individual’s test result —

(A)	after undergoing a second antigen rapid test, is treated as negative for SARS‑CoV‑2; or
(B)	after undergoing a polymerase chain reaction test, is treated as negative for SARS‑CoV‑2 or an atypical finding for SARS‑CoV‑2.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), a movement control measure, in relation to an individual, means a requirement for the individual not to leave a place of accommodation because of —

(a)	an order made under regulation 3(1) of the Infectious Diseases (COVID‑19 — Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 (G.N. No. S 182/2020);
(b)	regulation 3(2) of the Infectious Diseases (COVID‑19 — Stay Orders) Regulations 2020; or
(c)	an order under section 15 or 17 of the Act.”.

Amendment of regulation 10

7. Regulation 10(1) of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)	by inserting, immediately after the words “that restricted period” in sub‑paragraph (b), the words “or is an uncleared junior”; and
(b)	by inserting, immediately after the words “that restricted period” in sub‑paragraph (c), the words “if the entrant is other than an uncleared junior”.

Amendment of regulation 11

8. Regulation 11(2) of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)	by deleting the words “cleared status (general) or a cleared status (limited) for the restricted place” in sub‑paragraph (a)(ii) and substituting the words “cleared status or to uncleared juniors from the same household”; and
(b)	by inserting, immediately after the words “is an offence” in sub‑paragraph (a)(iii), the words “if the entrant is not a child who is below 13 years of age”.

Amendment of regulation 13

9. Regulation 13 of the principal Regulations is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph (1), the following paragraph:

“(1A) Regulation 9(1) and (2) does not apply to or in relation to an entrant to a restricted place who is an uncleared junior.”.

Amendment of First Schedule

10. The First Schedule to the principal Regulations is amended by inserting, immediately after item 2, the following items:

“

3.	Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca COVID‑19 vaccine)

(1)	Two doses, administered at least 24 days apart.

14th day after the second dose is administered in accordance with the second column.