Returning of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) and Tightening of Safe Management Measures with Effect from 22 July 2021
The Ministry of Education has released a new advisory on the tightened Safe Management Measures (SMMs) for Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).
These SMMs will take effect from 22 July to 18 August 2021:
(A) In-person class and lecture sizes
- All in-person class and lecture sizes to keep to a maximum of 50 persons, including the trainer(s) with groups of not more than 2 persons if group activities are required.
- All individuals in face-to-face classes should maintain safe distancing of at least 1 metre between persons (or between groups of not more than 2 persons if group activities are required).
- Students on internships may continue with their work attachments, while following prevailing SMMs at their respective organisations.
For more information, please click here.
(B) Strenuous physical and group student activities
- Indoor classes involving “mask-off” activities (strenuous physical activities and exercises) for an extended period are not allowed.
- All group student activities (CCAs, sports training and higher risk activities involving singing, speech and drama, and playing of wind and brass instruments) should be held online.
- Gyms and other sport facilities will remain closed.
- Masked activities (indoor and outdoor) can take place in multiple groups of 2, for up to 30 participants (including instructor) or up to the capacity limit of the venue, whichever is lower.
- Unmasked activities (outdoor) including swimming, can take place with only two persons (including the instructor), and there can be no multiple groups of 2.
Click here to find out more.
(C) Dining-In at Food & Beverage (F&B) establishments
- Dining in is allowed at the Foodclique and FoodFest food courts with at least 1 metre distancing between individuals.
- Other F&B outlets, such as Starbucks and Subway, will only offer takeaway.
(D) In-Person Events
All in-person events that involve more than 50 persons would be postponed or cancelled.
(E) Response to health alerts from Ministry of Health
Students who have been put under the Ministry of Health’s (MOH’s) Health Risk Warning (HRW) will be placed on Leave of Absence (LOA), and are allowed to return campus only after their exit Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab test result is negative. Those who have been put under Health Risk Alert (HRA) will be able to return to campus, but are strongly encouraged to limit social interactions as an added precaution. Students will be supported in their online learning as far as possible.
We appreciate your cooperation to continue practising good personal hygiene and adhere to all necessary SMMs. These include wearing masks, washing hands frequently, wiping down equipment and tables after each use, seeing a doctor immediately if you are feeling unwell, and only returning to campus when fully recovered.
Avoid Strenuous Activities Post-Vaccination and COVID-19 Expert Committee’s Recommendations
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has released a new advisory recommending that those who have received the first and second dose of the vaccine avoid strenuous physical activities for one week. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heartbeat after vaccination, please seek medical advice immediately.
In addition, the COVID-19 Expert Committee continues to recommend vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible persons, including adolescents and younger men, as the protective benefits from the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks. Click here to find out more.
Reviewing Border Measures to Manage Risks
Through close monitoring of the local and global COVID-19 situation, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce has recommended reducing the duration of the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) [1] for all new travellers arriving from higher risk countries/regions from 21 days to 14-day, beginning 23 June 2021, 2359 hours.
Here are extracts of the updates for your attention:
- A new variant of the COVID-19 virus emerged in late April 2021. As a precaution, travellers with recent travel history to higher risk countries/regions [2] were required to serve a 21-day SHN.
- As no evidence has been found to suggest that these variants come with longer incubation periods, the SHN period has been reduced from 21 days to 14 days.
- However, given the higher transmissibility of the new variants, travellers will need to test themselves regularly with antigen rapid test (ART) self-test kits on Days 3, 7 and 11 upon arrival in Singapore, while serving their SHN [3]. This is in addition to the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests they have to undergo upon arrival in Singapore [4] and on Day 14 before exiting SHN. They will be allowed to end their SHN if their PCR test result on Day 14 is negative [5].
- Previously, travellers who stayed in Taiwan and Israel during the 21 days immediately prior to arriving in Singapore had to serve a 14-day SHN-Dedicated Facilities (SDF), and an additional 7-day SHN at their place of residence. From 23 June 2021, 2359 hours, these travellers will be allowed to apply to opt out of serving their SHN at SDF before arriving in Singapore, and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence, if they:
i) Did not travel to any other country/region other than the above-mentioned countries/regions [6], in the last consecutive 21 days immediately prior to entry into Singapore; and
ii) Are occupying their place of residence alone, or only with household members who are also serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN.
[1] Affected travellers who are currently serving SHN at SHN-Dedicated Facility (SDF) will have their SHN reviewed and be informed of check-out arrangements separately.
[2] As of 23 June 2021, this refers to all countries/regions except Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China, and New Zealand. Please refer to the Safe Travel Office website for updates to the countries/regions identified.
[3] Travellers serving their SHN at SDF will collect their ART self-test kits from the facilities upon arrival in Singapore.
[4] Travellers are strongly encouraged to book and purchase their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test prior to departure for Singapore at https://safetravel.changiairport.com to expedite the test upon arrival.
[5] Actual check-out time will vary, subject to check-out volume on the ground at each specific SDF. Travellers on SHN will be informed by the SDF on the time of check-out.
[6] As of 23 June 2021, this includes the following countries/regions: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China, and New Zealand.
Please visit the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education websites for more information.
Revised Leave of Absence (LOA) Policies for Health Risk Warning (HRW) and Health Risk Alerts (HRA)
| | Scenario | Response |
| Health Risk Warning (HRW) | Students who receive a “Health Risk Warning” - Casual contacts of a COVID-19 case
- Have visited specific higher-risk hotspots on the same day as a COVID-19 case.
| - Please declare the following to students@suss.edu.sg
immediately if you have received a “Health Risk Warning”. Subject title to be indicated as “[Name of Student_HRW]”. - SUSS Student Support Department will then issue you with an LOA until your respective exit Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is negative.
- You are to follow the instructions stated in the LOA letter as well.
|
| Health Risk Warning (HRW) | Household members of students receive a “Health Risk Warning” | - Please declare the following to students@suss.edu.sg immediately if any of your household members have received a “Health Risk Warning”. Subject title to be indicated as “[Name of Student_HRW]”.
- SUSS Student Support Department will then issue you with an LOA until the affected house member’s PCR test is negative.
- You are to follow the instructions stated in the LOA letter as well.
|
| Health Risk Alerts (HRA) | Students who receive a “Health Risk Alert”
- Visited hotspot areas or their vicinity
| - Please declare the following to students@suss.edu.sg immediately if you have received a “Health Risk Alert”. Subject title to be indicated as “[Name of Student_HRA]”.
- You will not be issued an LOA and can continue to return to campus, if you are well.
- However, you are strongly encouraged to take a self-test Antigen Rapid Test (ART) kit.
- If you are tested with a positive ART result, please seek medical attention immediately and do not return to campus until you receive a negative confirmatory PCR test result.
|
| Health Risk Alerts (HRA) | Household members of students receive a “Health Risk Alert” | - Please monitor your health and you can return to campus, if you are well. No LOA will be issued to you.
|
Issuance of LOA to Students Living in Same Household as Individuals Awaiting Transportation to Government Quarantine Facility (GQF)
With effect from 26 May 2021, besides students whose household members are serving Home Quarantine Order (HQO), a LOA will also be issued to students staying in the same household as individuals who are awaiting transportation to a GQF. The LOA will match the duration of the Quarantine Order (QO).
Please send details of the QO start and end date to students@suss.edu.sg and update the University on the swab test result of the person under quarantine (PUQ) when ready.
The LOA will be withdrawn once the PUQ tests negative for COVID-19 at the GQF.
Please stay at home for the duration of the LOA as much as possible and avoid meeting physically with those outside your household. This would make a big difference in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
LOA Policy for Students Living in the Same Household as Persons under Stay-Home Notice (SHN)
Starting from 8 February 2021, students with household members returning from ALL COUNTRIES and serving ICA-issued SHNs at home would be placed on LOA [SHN]. The duration of the LOA will be aligned to the duration of the household member’s SHN.
If you have any household members on SHN, please declare the following to students@suss.edu.sg immediately:
- Email subject title: “Household Member on SHN”
- Indicate whether you are residing in the same place of residence as a household member who is currently serving SHN at home
- Provide proof of household member’s SHN
- Indicate which country your household member has visited and returned from
SUSS Student Support Department will then issue you with an LOA. You are to follow the instructions stated in the LOA letter.
The health and safety of our students, staff and associates remain our priority. We appreciate your cooperation to keep our campus safe.
Please check your email and the student portal regularly for more details.
LOA for Medical Certificate (MC)/Hospitalisation Leave (HL)
If your household members are unwell, especially with flu-like symptoms, please encourage them to see a doctor. Should any of your household members be on MC/HL, please do not return to campus. Instead, email the MC/HL of your household member to Student Support (students@suss.edu.sg) and you will be issued a letter to excuse you from face-to-face classes. If you have online classes, you can continue to attend them as usual.
Returning to Campus for Lessons
If you are returning to campus for face-to-face lessons, please submit a health declaration before coming to campus and keep the email notification sent to you as proof of declaration for at least 14 days.
On campus, show your scheduled class timetable to security staff. Don’t forget to activate your mobile phone’s Bluetooth and TraceTogether app or carry the token with you at all times. Temperature screening will continue to be administered on campus by security staff.
For students attending face-to-face classes on Sundays, please enter the campus via the Blk C basement carpark entrance as the other entrances will be closed.
Counselling Services
The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for many. If you wish to talk to someone about your concerns, you can contact our counsellors at C-Three. For more information, visit https://www.suss.edu.sg/about-suss/centres/c-three.
Stay Informed
The University will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and respond accordingly. Please check your email and the student portal regularly for more details. You may also refer to our website for updates.
Useful Email Addresses
If you have any queries regarding student or payment matters, please write to the following:
Your health and safety is our priority. We appreciate your help to keep our campus safe by following the above precautionary measures. Stay well and healthy.