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Small-group senior activities of up to 5 participants can resume: MOH

SINGAPORE — As Covid-19 cases in the community remain low and stable, the authorities will allow more senior-centric activities to resume from Wednesday (Sept 9) with safe-distancing rules.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, in a multi-ministry task force press conference on Wednesday, said that Singapore needs to continue protecting the most vulnerable in its population, and group activities play an “integral part” for seniors and contribute to their psychosocial needs and well-being.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, in a multi-ministry task force press conference on Wednesday, said that Singapore needs to continue protecting the most vulnerable in its population, and group activities play an “integral part” for seniors and contribute to their psychosocial needs and well-being.

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  • Group activities of up to five seniors may resume as these contribute to seniors’ psychosocial needs
  • Coaches and activity leaders must be registered with Sport Singapore, said the Health Minister
  • Proactive outreach to seniors will also be allowed to resume 

 

SINGAPORE — As Covid-19 cases in the community remain low and stable, the authorities will allow more senior-centric activities to resume from Wednesday (Sept 9) with safe-distancing rules.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that small-group activities of up to five seniors may resume as part of programmes by the People’s Association, Health Promotion Board, Sport Singapore and the Council for Third Age, which promotes active ageing.

Such activities will also be allowed in eldercare facilities, including nursing homes, senior care centres, active ageing hubs and senior activity centres.

These group activities include outdoor exercise, classroom-based lessons and board games.

When Singapore entered Phase Two of its economic reopening on June 19, the authorities limited activities in these settings to those that can be done individually to keep interactions to a minimum.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, in a multi-ministry task force press conference on Wednesday, said that Singapore needs to continue protecting the most vulnerable in its population, and group sessions are an “integral part” of activities for seniors that contribute to their psychosocial needs and well-being.

Mr Gan, who co-chairs the task force, said that the activities that will resume exclude singing classes because singing is a high-risk activity. Coaches, teachers and leaders of these activities must also be registered with Sport Singapore.

“We also want to know (who) the participants (are), in case we need to do contact-tracing,” Mr Gan said. 

Associate Professor Kenneth Mak, MOH’s director of medical services, noted the benefits for seniors from exercise and rehabilitation classes, and interactions with other seniors. 

“We will continue to watch this carefully and we will, as time progresses, assess whether it is possible to progressively lighten up and allow our seniors to do more activities,” he added.

PROACTIVE OUTREACH EFFORTS

From Wednesday, proactive outreach to seniors will also be allowed to restart.

Silver Generation ambassadors, senior activity centres and Community Resource, Engagement and Support Teams, a community-based initiative, will be allowed to resume these activities with safe distancing.

Diabetes outreach activities will also resume.

“While health and social care services are available, some seniors may not know where to seek help and may have deferred accessing community care services,” MOH said, adding that prolonged deferments would affect their health.

“We will resume outreach programmes to ensure we can proactively engage seniors with care needs and render assistance in a timely manner,” the ministry added.

SENIORS URGED TO ATTEND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

MOH noted that some seniors may be hesitant to attend medical appointments for fear of being exposed to the coronavirus at healthcare institutions or care facilities.

It urged seniors to go for their appointments, in order to avoid potential deterioration of their medical conditions and to allow timely attention for their other health needs.

“Healthcare providers would have put in place the necessary precautions for patients to access services and receive treatments safely,” said MOH.

Older patients in need of help may approach their respective public healthcare institutions or contact the Agency for Integrated Care.

MOH said: “As more activities resume, we urge seniors to remain vigilant, conscientiously practise hand hygiene and safe distancing, and to continue to keep to a small regular circle of contacts when going out.”

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