Update to workforce vaccination measures; Vaccination a condition for work pass / PR applications

At a glance

• From 15 January 2022, only employees who are fully vaccinated, certified to be medically ineligible or have recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days may return to the workplace.

Update to Workforce Vaccination Measures

On 26 December 2021, Singapore’s Ministry of Health announced changes to the Workforce Vaccination Measures which are due to be implemented from 1 January 2022 onwards. The tripartite partners (Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation) have also made corresponding updates to the latest COVID-19 advisory.

The key change is that effective from 15 January 2022, the concession for unvaccinated employees to return to the workplace by way of a negative Pre-Event Test (PET) will be removed. The change will be implemented in two phases:

• From 1 January to 14 January 2022 (Phase 1): Employees who are fully vaccinated, certified to be medically ineligible or have recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days may return to the workplace. The 180-day exemption is a reduction from the previous 270 days. Unvaccinated employees will still be allowed at the workplace if they have a negative PET result which is valid for the duration that employees are required to be present at the workplace.
  
  Non-fully vaccinated individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 prior to 1 January 2022 will also have their exemption period reduced from 270 days to 180 days. Such individuals who will already exceed the 180-day period as at 1 January 2022 will be granted an additional 1-month grace period until 31 January 2022 to complete their vaccination regime, so as to continue being able to enter the workplace.
• From 15 January 2022 onwards (Phase 2): Only employees who are fully vaccinated, certified to be medically ineligible or have recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days may return to the workplace. Unvaccinated employees will not be allowed to return to the workplace even if they obtain a negative PET result.

For unvaccinated employees, the same considerations will apply as were originally due to come into effect in that employers can choose to:

• redeploy them to suitable jobs which can be carried out from home if such jobs are available, and provided the remuneration is commensurate with the responsibilities of the alternative jobs; or
• place them on no-pay leave based on mutually agreeable terms; or
  as a last resort, terminate their employment (with notice) in accordance with the employment contract.

For those who are medically ineligible or pregnant, employers should consider allowing the employee to work from home or redeploy them to suitable jobs which can be carried out from home. The advisory now clarifies that pregnant employees should not be dismissed and employers are instead strongly encouraged to give special consideration to their needs and concerns e.g. allowing them to work from home, redeployment or placing them on no-pay leave until after they have been vaccinated.

Vaccination as a Condition for New Applications and Renewal of Passes and PR

In addition, from 1 February 2022 onwards, full COVID-19 vaccination will be a condition for approval for any renewal or grant of new long-term passes, work passes and permanent residence applications. Since 1 November 2021, COVID-19 vaccination has been a requirement for long-term pass holders to enter Singapore.

For individuals who have received their vaccination overseas, they will be required to undergo and show a positive serology test taken at a Public Health Preparedness Clinic within 30 days upon arrival in Singapore. Individuals who test negative will be required to complete the full vaccination regimen in Singapore or risk having their passes revoked.

The vaccination condition will not apply to individuals who are medically ineligible, below the age of 12 years and individuals aged 12 to below 18 years (although they must make a declaration to complete their full vaccination regime after arriving to Singapore).

If you have any questions about the impact of the changes to the Workforce Vaccination Measures on your return to workplace strategy, or you would like to request a copy of our Global COVID-19 Vaccine Guide, please contact David Smail.