SINGAPORE (UCAN): The government of Singapore has been asked to make concessions for unvaccinated worshippers as the city-state imposed new restrictions on public gatherings to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
The appeal comes as authorities expanded vaccination-differentiated safe management measures [VDS] on February 1, in line with a directive from the Ministry of Health announced on 14 December 2021.
Regardless of size, all events must implement the measures, which means a change from the current rule that allows events to host fewer than 50 people.
The new rule allows only those who are fully vaccinated, medically ineligible for Covid-19 vaccines, have recovered from the disease, as well as children aged 12 and below, to attend events such as congregational and worship services, the Straits Times reported.
VDS also covers institutes of higher learning, and will affect students and visitors entering the campuses.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the church of St. Bernadette, on Zion Road, appealed for authorities to make concessions to allow all parishioners to participate in worship regardless of their vaccination status.
“The archdiocese is seeking an allowance that we continue to have Masses for the unvaccinated in a separate setting solely for them where they do not mix with the vaccinated,” the January 16 post said, referring to the position of the Archdiocese of Singapore.
It pointed out that the archdiocese’s Covid-19 task force has taken adequate measures to curb spreading the virus in churches and church-run institutes and has engaged with authorities to communicate its position that all parishioners have the right to worship.
“[Pending] the decision, the authorities have allowed the booking of Masses for the unvaccinated and the vaccinated to continue as normal for the month of February,” it added.
Meanwhile, Reverend Ngoei Foong Nghian, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Singapore, said the council has also appealed for concessions for unvaccinated worshippers.
“We recognise that some have valid reasons for not being vaccinated,” he told the Straits Times, adding that “churches are committed to encourage Christians to be vaccinated for the well-being of everyone.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth said that discussions over the concessions with religious organizsations have been ongoing.
A major Buddhist group, the Singapore Buddhist Federation, said it would not appeal against the VDS rules.
The group’s president, Venerable Seck Kwang Phing, said that Buddhist temples in Singapore admit worshippers and visitors who are fully vaccinated and advise others to join livestreamed prayers.
The monk said it is crucial to allow only vaccinated people as many devotees who enter temples are elderly people.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health reported 5,996 new cases of Covid-19 and two deaths on January 25. The city-state has recorded 323,000 cases and 850 deaths from coronavirus.
Official data shows Singapore has fully vaccinated 4.73 million or about 83.2 per cent of its estimated population of 5.6 million.
