MOH & SNDGO Say No to Using TraceTogether Alerts for Door‑Control Decisions
In a joint statement on Friday (May 7), Singapore’s Ministry of Health and Smart Nation & Digital Government Office made it crystal‑clear that businesses cannot gate‑keep customers based on the exposure alerts that pop up on the TraceTogether app.
Why the Risk Is Tiny
- Exposure alerts show that you were in the same general vicinity as a Covid‑19 case, not necessarily at arm’s‑length.
- In a crowded mall or a large venue, you could have been 10 m away from the case – that’s a low‑risk scenario.
- People who have any close‑contact confirmation already get a quarantine order, so they’re fully covered.
What Some Businesses Did (and Why It’s a Bad Idea)
- ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC)
- Royal Caribbean cruise line
- Dream Cruises
These companies started asking customers to show their TraceTogether records before letting them in. The result? Unfair turn‑away of visitors who had just “flashed” a warning.
The Official Message from MOH & SNDGO
- Close contacts must quarantine. They’re already protected.
- People caught flying near a case may receive a 14‑day health‑monitoring alert. The risk is minor, and they’re free to continue their day.
- Such individuals need not be locked out of shopping malls, driving centres, or cruises.
SafeEntry data, though, is super helpful when tracing because it lets people recall where they were and who they met, making the whole process quicker.
New Driving Centre Entrance Rules
- From May 17, the driving centre will only require a TraceTogether app or token for entry.
- From June 1, the old ID‑card check will be phased out.
- Previously, the centre had a notice that anyone showing a close‑contact alert would be denied entry. That notice has been pulled.
What Cruise Operators Are Saying
Dream Cruises
Passengers whose TraceTogether app flagged exposure are prohibited from sailing until May 19. Those who visited Tan Tock Seng Hospital from April 18 onward are also barred.
Royal Caribbean
Customers flagged with possible exposure on their TraceTogether data will also be denied boarding.
Both cruise companies have reflected the same stance, and the Singapore Tourism Board has been asked for comments.
The Bottom Line
Cut the gate‑keeping – let people in based on actual risk, not a blurry notification.
Store owners, driving schools, and cruise operators alike should stop using passive exposure data as a barrier and stick to proven quarantine and health‑monitoring procedures. That’s a way to keep everyone safe while still letting Singapore’s bustling streets run smoothly.
