Employers were previously discouraged from asking for medical certificates
The six-monthly medical examination (6ME) for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) have been delayed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a bid to further reduce the burden on healthcare workers.
The deadline is moved until April and extends to MDWs and other female Work Permit holders, according to the advisory from the MOM.
This means that employers who received the 6ME notices in January and February this year will have until April 30 to send their workers for 6ME.
"Employers whose workers are due to receive their 6ME notices in March and April 2022 will be notified of the new 6ME date by post and e-mail from end-April instead," the MOM said.
The ministry, however, noted that employers may still send their workers to the clinics for 6ME and they will not be turned away.
"However, we strongly encourage employers to defer the visit unless there is a need for medical attention," it advised.
The new advisory came as Singapore reports surging COVID-19 cases, recording over 19,000 new infections on Wednesday noon.
The surge of new cases placed a lot of burden on healthcare workers, particularly those working in general practitioner clinics and polyclinics.
Read more: Singapore enhances COVID-19 support measures
Previously, employers were also urged to avoid requesting medical certificates and recovery memos from employees if they test positive for COVID-19.
"They can submit a photograph of their test results or a video of them taking the ART (Antigen Rapid Test)," the Ministry of Health (MOH) suggested.
According to the MOH, the number of employees requesting ART to be carried out by a medical professional and those requesting for medical certificates further increase the burden on healthcare workers.
The ministry further called on employers to remind their staff who are at low risk and have mild symptoms or those who are physically well to just isolate at home instead of going to clinics or hospitals.
