Recovery memo not needed to return to work in Singapore

GPs in Singapore have reported a spike in the number of people with mild or no symptoms visiting their clinics to get such memos or letters.

“These visits are not necessary, and risk compromising the standard of care for other patients who genuinely require medical attention,” said a joint statement by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Development Agency.

Under current health SOPs, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 with an antigen rapid test (ART) are required to isolate at home for at least 72 hours.

“If they are well, they may exit isolation to resume normal activities once they test negative on their self-administered ART,” according to the statement.

“Employees who test positive for COVID-19 (either through self-test or at a GP clinic) should immediately inform their employers and not return to the workplace, in order to prevent the virus from spreading.

READ: Singapore companies urged to have business continuity plans in place

“Those who are well should be allowed to work from home if they are able to do so. If they are unable to work from home, their employers should treat the period of absence as paid sick leave without requiring a medical certificate from the employees”, said the statement, according to Channel News Asia.