Written by Clare Chong

Compulsory COVID-19 testing for vaccinated staff working or living in the high-risk sectors will continue to receive subsidies by the government until year-end although companies should start to factor in these costs for operations next year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Aug 27, Friday.

CURRENT TESTING MEASURES
Previously, government subsidies for compulsory testing in high-risk sectors were extended till Sep 30 this year.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Fast and Easy Testing (FET) rostered routine testing has been in place for those working in construction, maritime, aviation and marine and process sectors as well as workers staying in dormitories. Workers in settings with unmasked and vulnerable patrons or customers e.g. healthcare services, personal care services, gyms and F&B are also required to undergo such testing. The government will also subsidise COVID 19 testing costs until Dec 31 this year for unvaccinated staff who are unable to take the jabs for medical reasons. These tests include both the PCR and FET tests and additional tests under the “vaccinate or regular test” (VoRT) regime.

VoRT REGIME
The VoRT regime would commence for selected sectors from Oct 1, where unvaccinated staff would be tested for COVID 19 two times a week with antigen rapid tests. Under this scheme, companies can require staff who choose not to be vaccinated to pay for the costs of testing. 

Sectors with PCR or FET rostered routine testing will already be subjected to regular testing and such compulsory tests will continue to receive government subsidies. In such cases, unvaccinated staff will only be required to pay for the twice a week additional tests under VoRT.

CALL FOR A FULLY VACCINATED WORKFORCE
MOH would also continue to review the subsidies to see how best to share costs equitably amongst employers, individuals and taxpayers, although companies are expected to include testing costs in usual business operations after this year.

What are your thoughts about the VoRT regime? Do you think such measures would encourage more people to be vaccinated?