Covid-19 vaccination guidelines for workers in Singapore are being reviewed, with the aim to get more people protected against the coronavirus. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told The Straits Times that it is reviewing an advisory issued last month, which states that employers may make vaccination a requirement for staff in higher-risk settings. The Ministry said last week that it is finalising the updated advisory which will be issued soon. "In the light of the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force announcements on the 'vaccinate or regular test' regime in selected sectors, the tripartite partners are reviewing the advisory, with a view to further drive up vaccination rates so that our workplaces remain safe," said a spokesman. The "vaccinate or regular test" regime was announced by the Ministry of Health on 6 August. The Ministry was responding to queries following budget carrier Jetstar Asia's announcement that it will require all staff to be vaccinated by 1 October. At the same time Singapore Airlines announced its front-line staff based in Singapore, including pilots and cabin crew, will need to be fully vaccinated by 1 September.

Under the earlier advisory released on 2 July, the Ministry, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation had said that employers should not make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for staff. They may, however, make vaccination a requirement at the point of recruitment or advertisement for new hires into work settings where employees are considered to have a higher risk of Covid-19 infection. It was also made clear that companies cannot fire existing staff just because they do not wish to be vaccinated.