Round 2 of Time-Limited 8-Weeks Testing
Round 2 of Time-Limited 8-Weeks Testing
About the application process and Scope of Testing
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With more employees returning to the workplace from 1 Jan 2022, there could be higher risk of workplace transmission, particularly given the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant. Regular testing is therefore important to ensure early detection and ringfencing of cases at the workplace. To support this practice, the Government is undertaking a second round of ART kit distribution which eligible companies can apply for. Applications have closed on 31 Jan 2022.
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The application period is from 3 Jan to 31 Jan 2022, and applications have closed. Companies will not be able to apply after the application period.
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Companies may apply for staff who are returning to office on alternate days or weeks so long as they are fully vaccinated and not already under the mandatory RRT regime. These staff should continue to self-test on weeks when they are working from home over the 2-month period.
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You do not have to return the kits but your company will need to submit results twice over the next 8 weeks from the time of receipt of kits (i.e. once at the end of each month’s testing cycle), to indicate how many employees have been tested, and explain the shortfall if need be.
Upon return to office, you will need to commence testing and continue submitting results on a monthly basis until testing is complete.
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The employee may still use the test kits for weekly testing when he returns to the workplace. Companies may use the test kits for testing of onsite employees who are fully vaccinated (including those who have recovered), those certified to be medically ineligible, or unvaccinated and recovered from COVID-19 infection within 180 days.
About Compliance and Results Declaration
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Companies are required to declare the total number of employees tested, along with the number of Ag+ results recorded, in the ART results declaration form at the end of each month’s testing cycle (i.e. twice across the two-month period) to the Government. The results declaration may be submitted via this link: https://go.gov.sg/round-2-tlrrt-results-submissions.
The detailed results of each individual employee do not need to be submitted to the Government. However, companies are expected to retain records of the test results till end-June 2022, and to produce these as proof if audited by the government.
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The mandatory RRT regime was implemented for higher-risk workplaces and is different from this time-limited 8-weeks kits distribution exercise. Therefore, the cessation of mandatory RRT for higher-risk workplaces as announced in the 24 MarMTF Press Release does not apply to this time-limited 8-weeks weekly testing at workplaces. Companies who applied and received kits under this Round 2 of time-limited kits distribution should continue weekly testing of eligible employees and report their test results to the Government until all the test kits received are fully utilised.
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Companies should have applied for test kits only for employees who meet the eligibility criteria (i.e. fully vaccinated, work onsite, and not under mandatory Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) regime), and have processes in place to ensure that the weekly tests are conducted properly, test results are recorded, and appropriate follow-up actions are adhered to.
If audited by the government, companies should be able to produce proof (e.g. email records, circulars, excel documents etc.) that such processes have been put in place and implemented.
Checklist of Processes Suggested Practices Applications were made only for employees who are eligible for the Time-Limited 8-weeks testing * Have clear records of the list of staff on FET RRT and staff on time-limited 8-weeks testing. Tests are properly conducted every week * Provide employees with links to the self-test instructions and self-help materials.
* Request that employees submit photos of their used test kits displaying the results.
* Remind employees to conduct their weekly testing on a timely basis e.g. via email, messaging etc.Test results are recorded and submitted * Provide a mode for employees to report their results e.g. via email, excel, HR portal etc.
* Verify that their employees have submitted their test results.Appropriate actions are taken if tested ART positive * Share with employees on follow ups if tested ART positive. (refer to the subsequent FAQs below on what to do when tested ART positive)
Ensure that employees have adhered to the required follow-up actions. -
The Government shall have the right to claw back the cost of any test kits should there be any late submission of results or required information, or if any of the information submitted in the application form or results declaration form is untrue, or if non-compliance to the testing requirements is found.
About Use of Antigen Rapid Test (ART) Kits
For queries not covered in this set of FAQs, you may refer to the FAQs in http://ask.gov.sg/agency/MOH for more details.
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ART is conducted by inserting a swab stick approximately 2cm into the nostril. These swabs are shallower and less intrusive than the nasopharyngeal swabs taken for PCR tests. Users may experience some discomfort, but the swabs should not be painful.
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Frequent swabbing has not been proven to be harmful. ART swabs are inserted at around 2cm into the nostril, which are shallower and less intrusive than the nasopharyngeal swabs taken for PCR tests. However, if you have had recent facial surgery or frequent nose bleeds, you are advised to visit a licensed ART provider to have a professional perform the ART for you.
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If you are experiencing acute respiratory symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, flu or runny nose), you may visit a primary care provider who will assess your condition and administer the relevant tests.
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Negative: Even if you test negative, please stay vigilant. Do continue to observe safe distancing measures and practice good personal hygiene such as regular handwashing and wearing a mask when leaving your home. Continue to monitor your health and test yourself where necessary.
Positive: If you are well and do not have symptoms, please isolate yourself and re-test yourself with further ART tests after 72 hours from the initial positive test. You may resume normal activities if you test negative. If it is positive, continue to self-isolate and repeat the ART test at least one day apart. You can stop self-isolation and resume daily activities when it tests negative, or at the end of Day 7 (for vaccinated individuals) or Day 14 (for non-fully vaccinated individuals) without a need to test, whichever is earlier. If you feel unwell e.g. fever, cough, sore throat at any point in time, please visit a primary care doctor for further assessment.
Invalid: An invalid test may mean that the test was not performed correctly, or the test kit was faulty. You should re-read the instructions on how to perform the test and repeat an ART with a new test kit until you get a valid ART result. You may also consider undergoing a self-paid ART which is supervised or done by a healthcare provider, such as at Quick Test Centres or medical clinics.
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Please consult a doctor if you experience persistent nose bleeding.
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After reading the results, please take a photo with your ID in the same photo if the result is positive or both results are invalid.
To dispose the test kit, place all the used items from the test kit into a plastic bag or a sealable bag and seal it. Place the sealed bag into another plastic bag. Tie the second plastic bag with a rubber band or cable tie. Please ensure that the bags are tightly tied to protect your community. Throw it into the rubbish chute or a pedal bin immediately.