Today’s COVID-19 press conference was…groundbreaking.
It was so groundbreaking that the SIA website went down for a while (it’s up now), but since many of us won’t have money to buy a plane ticket that’ll cost 10 times more, the other interesting announcement was the new rule that we’d have to follow should we be tested positive for COVID-19, or if we’re a close contact of someone who’s positive.
And like what a wise man said, “Sooner or later, many of us will end up catching the virus,” this means we should really know more about this latest set of rules that are supposedly as easy as 123.
Well, literally 1, 2 and 3, because there are now only three rules we need to know.
For a start, we’re just talking about Antigen Rapid Test results because PCR tests won’t be provided to us unless a clinician requested so.
To know the difference between antigen test and PCR test, watch this video to the end:
So, what are the three rules?
Rule 1: Tested Positive With Symptoms
It doesn’t matter whether you’re tested positive while doing a self-test at home, or tested positive when you’re tested by your employer during a routine test: As long as you’re tested positive and you have symptoms, you need to see a doctor.
You might not get a PCR test, but you’d be guided on what you should do next.
If you’re fully vaccinated and are healthy, you’d most probably be sent home to self-isolate for 10 days, or 14 days if you’re not vaccinated. You’d then be automatically “discharged” after you’ve finished your self-isolation.
In other words, it’s akin to a chickenpox infection lah.
But of course, this is people for mild symptoms. Your doctor will decide on your next course of action.
Rule 2: Tested Positive Without Symptoms
Guess what? If you’re tested positive without symptoms, you won’t even be part of the statistics.
You see, if you’re tested positive with an ART but have no symptoms, you just need to isolate yourself for the next 72 hours.
After that, test yourself again. If it’s negative, you can then end your self-isolation.
If it’s still positive, continue to isolate and test yourself a day later. And if you’re still positive a day later, continue to isolate and test yourself a day later. And if you’re still positive a day later, continue to isolate and test yourself a day later. And if you’re still positive a day later, continue to isolate and test yourself a day later…
Yes, you’d have to test yourself until you’re tested negative before you can leave the house.
But if you develop symptoms, you can see a doctor instead.
In other words, we might have more cases than the ones reported daily, but hey: the whole idea is to live with COVID-19, so the numbers don’t matter, right?
Do you want MOH to send daily reports on the number of people with chickenpox?
Rule 3: Close Contact
So we’ve covered what you should do if you’re tested positive.
But what if you’re just a close contact?
Forget about quarantine order, stay-home notice or leave of absence.
Now, there’s only one rule to rule them all: Health Risk Warning.
If you’re a close contact, you’ll receive an SMS, stating that you’re a close contact. With that, and you can collect free ART kits from vending machines.
(Do note that you can’t self-declare that you’re a close contact when you’re not. That’s not COVID-19 positive; that’s Friendzone positive. You need an SMS from MOH to be declared a close contact.)
You’d have to test with the kit and upload your results; if you’re negative that day, you can leave your house. You’d need to repeat the testing for the next six days.
After seven days, you can go back to your normal life with a slightly bigger nose.
If, whenever you’re tested positive, just refer to Rule 1 or Rule 2.
Do note that these rules would officially start from 11 October 2021.
Read Also:
- 10 Must-Know Updates from the COVID-19 Press Conference After PM Lee’s Speech
- 10 Things to Know from PM Lee’s Speech Whereby No Major Announcement Was Made
Featured Image: Dariusz Jarzabek / Shutterstock.com
