Hospital Visitors Get a Tightening Grip as COVID Tinges Back Up
Starting October 14th and running until November 10th, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is upping the ante on visitor numbers in all hospitals and residential care homes. The move comes as the number of community COVID cases climbs steadily.
Visitor Limits That’ll Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat
- General patients: You can bring only two pre‑designated visitors, but only one of them gets to sit at the bedside at a time.
- Critical patients: Up to five visitors are allowed, though again just two can be at the bedside together.
- Each visit is capped at 30 minutes – that’s a whole half‑hour of visiting time!
- For special circumstances—think kids, mothers after childbirth, or patients needing extra help—visitors can stay longer, but only on a case‑by‑case basis and subject to the hospital’s discretion.
- Keep the no‑eat‑drink rule in mind: no snacks or drinks in the wards, and no bathroom use inside patient areas.
- And remember, don’t sit on patient beds; respect the space!
Residential Care Homes: Less is More
- Up to four pre‑designated visitors per resident.
- Only one visitor can be present at a time, and the maximum stay per visit is 30 minutes.
- Scheduling ahead of time is still mandatory, and the same safety rules apply.
- If the home is dealing with active COVID cases, visits might be temporarily halted.
Testing? Absolutely – and Not Just for the Naïve
Visitors are strongly urged to be in good health and to take an antigen rapid test on the day of their visit. Hospitals and care homes reserve the right to impose stricter limits or extra testing for those visiting vulnerable or unvaccinated patients.
Why the Tightening? Protecting Capacity & Vulnerability
The MOH is acting to shield healthcare capacity and protect the most at‑risk folks. With 9,611 new infections reported Wednesday (down from 11,732 on Tuesday), the numbers warrant cautious steps.
Emergency Departments: Use Them Wisely
- They’re seeing a hefty influx of patients every day.
- Only truly emergency patients should head there. If you’re not in a real emergency—kids included—you might be redirected to a clinic.
Ongoing Monitoring & Your Cooperation
MOH promises to review and tweak these measures as the COVID landscape evolves. The health ministry is calling on patients, residents, and their loved ones for understanding and cooperation as the aim is to slash the risk of virus spread in our healthcare settings.
