Stick to the Real Deal: No Fake Vaccination Certificates for Dining Out
The Current Twist in Singapore’s Covid‑19 Dining Rules
- Health Minister Ong Ye Kung is sounding the alarm: “Using someone else’s vaccination certificate to get into restaurants is a big no‑no. The authorities are on the lookout for this, and there will be serious penalties for offenders.”
- Instead, if you’re not fully vaccinated, the simple solution is a Pre‑Event Test (PET)—an inexpensive (~$20) COVID‑19 test valid for 24 hours.
What Exactly is a PET?
- It’s a quick lab test you take before you head to a dining place or event.
- Think of it as a safety pass: you prove you’re currently negative and way safe to mingle.
- It costs nearly nothing, and it keeps you and the rest of the public safer.
Rules for the Unvaccinated and the Recovered
- Unvaccinated folks must have a PET when dining.
Why? Because you’re still at a higher risk of catching COVID‑19, and a PET helps keep that risk low. - People who recovered from COVID‑19 within the last 270 days also need a PET to sit in a food and beverage spot—no “automatic pass” from a recent recovery.
- But if you’re fully vaccinated (two weeks after receiving a full regimen of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Sinopharm, or Sinovac, all on WHO’s Emergency Use Listing), you’re exempt from the PET requirement.
Getting the Basics Right with Overseas Vaccinations
- Vaccines received abroad STILL need a documentary proof and a blood test at a recognized provider to confirm effectiveness.
- Once your positive serology test confirms you’re vaccinated, the records get added to the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) and reflected on TraceTogether and HealthHub apps.
- Important note: Hard copies of overseas vaccination certificates will NOT be accepted for the smart vaccination‑based safe management measures. Dig out that digital proof!
The Bottom Line: Stay Honest and Skip the Fake Certs
- Fake vaccination certificates are not just unethical—they’re illegal and come with severe penalties.
- Doing the easy thing (buying a PET) is cheaper, safer, and obviously the right choice.
- Remember: PETs are like the safety net for everyone who doesn’t have a full vaccine set‑up. Take it, don’t fake it.
Singapore’s COVID‑19 Dining Update – You Can Eat, Just Keep It Quiet
Singapore’s Ministry of Health has relaxed dining rules, but with a few useful twists. The change means you can head to your favourite hawker centre or coffee shop whether you’re vaccinated or not—just don’t invite a whole crew. Two‑person tables are the new rule.
Why Two People Only?
- The government can’t easily verify every vaccination certificate that arrives > 1,000 different countries cover – different formats, different languages.
- So to keep things tidy, they’ve limited diners to a pair.
How to Stay Safe While You’re at the Café
Unvaccinated folks: Keep your hands clean, don’t linger after your meal, and wash them off before you bounce to the next table. Those steps help cut the risk of catching Covid‑19.
Finding Your Vaccination Card on Your Phone
- Sinovac recipients: check the HealthHub app for your record.
- Pfizer / Moderna holders: your vaccinations will be live on both HealthHub and the TT app.
- WHO‑listed foreign vaccines: records land on HealthHub now, with TT support expected by the end of August.
In short, bring the good vibes (and a buddy) to your next meal—just remember to keep those hands sanitized and the table limited to two.
This piece first appeared in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
