SINGAPORE — From next Friday (Feb 25), up to 30 fully vaccinated people can participate in sports at supervised or operated sports facilities, without having to self-test themselves at the facility before engaging in their sport.  

The number of people includes players, coaches and umpires and examples of the venues are ActiveSG facilities and approved private facilities, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, in-person visits to all hospital wards and residential care homes will be suspended for another four weeks from Feb 21 to March 20. 

And from Feb 25, unvaccinated children aged 12 and below, or born in 2010 or later, do not need to be from the same household to be included within a group entering premises or participating in activities with vaccination-differentiated safe management measures.  

On the relaxed measures for sports, MOH said in a statement that there has been "no compelling evidence" to show that transient contact while playing sports leads to infections.

"Conversely, two years of safe management measures have taken its toll on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of our people, especially the young," said the ministry.

Under the relaxed measures from next week, prevailing Covid-19 rules will apply before and after the sports activity, and during rest breaks.

While no additional testing requirement will be imposed as long as all participants are fully vaccinated, MOH strongly encouraged participants to self-test before arriving for the sports activity, and to stay home if they test positive or develop symptoms.

The group of 30 fully vaccinated persons allowed to participate in sports includes players, coaches and umpires.

Prevailing infection controls will apply before and after the sport activity, and during rest breaks. 

In response to TODAY's queries on what the rules are for unsupervised facilities such as outdoor courts or fields, national sports governing body Sport Singapore (SportSG) said that activities can take place based on the prevailing safe management measures and group size — up to five individuals.

"More information on the safe management measures, including approved sports facilities, will be shared soon. Meanwhile, SportSG urges participants to continue being socially responsible by masking up and keeping a safe distance from one another when not playing." 

HOSPITAL WARDS AND RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES

MOH earlier said that it would suspend visits to hospital wards and residential care homes until Feb 20, but it is now extending the suspension period to protect Singapore's healthcare capacity and vulnerable groups.

There will be a mid-point review of the suspension after two weeks, it added.

However, hospitals and homes have the discretion to allow visits for exceptional cases, such as if the patient or resident is critically ill.

Hospitals and homes will also continue to support alternative methods of communication such as through telephone or video calls to ensure that patients and residents remain connected with their loved ones.

From Wednesday, MOH and the Agency for Integrated Care will also progressively support nursing homes to care for fully vaccinated residents who have Covid-19 but have no or mild symptoms and are isolated from uninfected residents.

This will allow generally well residents with Covid-19 to recover safely under the care of their nursing home provider who is also most familiar with their needs, they said.

Right now, nursing home residents infected with Covid-19 are moved from the nursing homes to recover at separate care facilities. 

MOH said that residents assessed to be at higher risk, or who show signs of clinical deterioration, will continue to be taken to an appropriate care facility for further management.