Isolation Protocols Adjusted for Hotel Guests from December 20
Starting December 20, travellers staying in Singapore hotels who test positive for COVID-19 will recover in their hotel rooms by default, instead of being moved to care facilities. This updated protocol also applies to those identified as close contacts of confirmed cases, aligning recovery procedures for visitors with those of local community cases.
New Recovery Protocols
Hotel guests testing positive for COVID-19 are required to:
Stay isolated in their rooms.
Notify hotel staff immediately.
Complete an online form and await further instructions.
Fully vaccinated travellers will isolate for 10 days, while unvaccinated individuals must do so for 14 days. Guests will be discharged automatically without further testing once their isolation period ends.
Special Cases and Costs
Suspected or confirmed Omicron cases will be transferred to designated care and isolation facilities, as will close contacts of these cases.
Travellers must bear all recovery, testing, and treatment costs, including extended hotel stays or transfers to care facilities.
For travellers with homes in Singapore, hotels can assist in coordinating Ministry of Health (MOH) transport to their residences. Personal transport arrangements are not permitted. Those with higher health risks or severe illness will be moved to hospitals or care facilities.
Testing for Close Contacts
Guests identified as close contacts under a health risk warning must isolate and take an antigen rapid test (ART) immediately. If negative, they may resume activities but must test daily until day seven. A positive test during this period requires a 72-hour isolation followed by retesting.
Strict Adherence to Guidelines
Hotel guests recovering in isolation are prohibited from leaving their rooms or using shared facilities. Violations of isolation orders are offences under the Infectious Diseases Act and may result in enforcement action.
These measures aim to ensure the safety of all guests while providing a streamlined approach to COVID-19 management for visitors staying in hotels.
