Timeline: Managing the outbreak of COVID-19 (2021)

[Confirmed cases: 60633]

Tzu Chi: Utilisation rate of office space is relaxed
In line with government's lifting of safety measures, the utilisation rate of office space has been increased from 50% to 75%

[Confirmed cases: 61120]

Singapore: Local transmission cases back to double digit
Singapore records a double digit local transmission cases first time in 9 months. Majority of the cases are linked to a nurse working in Tan Tock Seng Hospital and an ICA officer at Changi Airport.

[Confirmed cases: 61155]

Singapore: Further tightening of safety measures
Employees who can work from home are encouraged to do so. Social gatherings are limited to not more than 2 per day.

[Confirmed cases: 61179]

Singapore: Tighter measures are taken to prevent the widespread of coronavirus amid outbreak in Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Visitors who have been to Tan Tock Seng Hospital recently are swabbed.

Tzu Chi: Volunteers who work as healthcare staff are temporarily barred from participating in offline activities
As more confirmed cases are linked to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital cluster, volunteers who work as TTSH healthcare staff and visitors who had visited the hospital since 18 April are not allowed to participate in Tzu Chi offline activities from 1 May to 18 May.

[Confirmed cases: 61252]

Tzu Chi: Tzu Chi Da Ai Gallery tightens on the number of visitors
The number of visitors to the gallery is capped at 10 people with a time limit of 1.5 hours for each session.

[Confirmed cases: 61286]

Singapore: The number of active clusters in Singapore is now 10
The latest cluster is at Pasir Panjang Terminal.

Tzu Chi: Suspension of indoor exercise classes from Tzu Chi Continuing Education Centre
Yoga class, Chinese Dance class and Somatic Movement Wellness class are suspended from 6 May to 30 May.

[Confirmed cases: 61331]

Singapore: Singapore commences Phase 3 (Hightened Alert) measures
Social gathering size is cut from 8 to 5. Households can only receive up to 5 visitors per day.

Tzu Chi: Implementation of Phase 3 (Hightened Alert) safety measures throughout the foundation's establishments
Workplace capacity is reduced to 50%, down from initial 75%. Employees are divided into team A and B with different team working from home every alternate week. Crowd gathering activities are cancelled until end of May.

[Confirmed cases: 61359]

Tzu Chi: Preventive measures for the Buddha Bathing ceremony is stepped up
Government regulations are strictly adhered to on this day. The utilisation of level 1 as event space is cancelled, leaving level 3 as the only event space for the Buddha Bathing ceremony.

[Confirmed cases: 61378]

Singapore: All workers at Changi Airport’s operating terminals and Singapore's seaport will be tested for COVID-19
With the emergence of the Changi Airport cluster, 9,000 employees at the airport and nearly 4,000 employees at seaport to undergo COVID-19 testing.

Tzu Chi: Visits limited to one Tzu Chi establishment per day
In line with the latest preventive measures, each staff and volunteer can only visit one Tzu Chi establishment in one day to reduce the risk of cross infection.

[Confirmed cases: 61585]

Singapore: Singapore returns to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) measures
Social gathering size is cut from 5 to 2. All workers from non-essential services must work from home.

Tzu Chi: Implementation of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) safety measures throughout the foundation's establishments
For details, please refer to the announcement titled "15 May 2021: Changes to current programmes and activities"

[Confirmed cases: 61613]

Tzu Chi: Caring for the mental wellness of volunteers
A survey is conducted to understand if any volunteers and their family members have been tested positive in COVID-19 or are close contact with any positive cases. Volunteers are also encouraged to participate in online dharma sharing sessions and lunchtime prayers.

[Confirmed cases: 61689]

Singapore: Students in Singapore return to home-based learning
Other than pre-schools and student care centres, primary and secondary schools as well as JCs are to move back to full home-based learning. Singapore delays 2nd Covid-19 vaccine dose to 6-8 weeks later to ensure minimum protection for a larger population. The government has approved the vaccination project for 12 to 15 years old.

[Confirmed cases: 61730]

Singapore: Active clusters exceed 20
The total active clusters increase to 24 with the addition of 5 news clusters.

[Confirmed cases: 61890]

Singapore: Active clusters exceed 30
The total number of active clusters is now 30 due to the detection of 2 news clusters and 1 cluster closure.

[Confirmed cases: 62028]

Tzu Chi: A webinar on mental wellness
Tzu Chi has been holding quarterly webinars on mental wellness with consultant psychiatrist Dr Yeo Seem Huat as the speaker since 21 March. The second webinar goes fully online due to the latest safety measures.

[Confirmed cases: 62051]

Singapore: Singapore announces three-pronged strategy to control the spread of COVID-19
First, to conduct faster, more liberal and extensive testing. Second, to ramp up on contact tracing and monitoring of close contacts. Third, to accelerate national COVID-19 vaccination programme.

[Confirmed cases: 62210]

Singapore: Singapore reports five new community cases
The increase in community cases remains at single digit for two consecutive days.

Tzu Chi: Regular disinfection of workplaces is implemented
Tzu Chi will conduct large-scale disinfection every two months at all workplaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

[Confirmed cases: 62301]

Singapore: Singapore gradually reopens to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert)
The number of people allowed for social gatherings and house visits is now capped at five. The limit on the crowd size for large scale events such as religious gatherings and other ceremonies is increased.

Tzu Chi: Implementation of Phase 3 (Stage 1) safety measures

[Confirmed cases: 62366]

Singapore: The highest number of community cases is recorded today since 29 May
The new cluster found in Bukit Merah wet market and hawker centre is now the third largest active cluster in Singapore with a total of 57 cases.

Tzu Chi: Live broadcast of vegetarian programme
Volunteers promote a plant-based diet for the fourth season through Facebook live broadcast.

[Confirmed cases: 62382]

Tzu Chi: More stringent safety measures to be adopted at Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Redhill)
Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Redhill) is situated near Redhill Market & Food Centre. Four primary preventive measures are adopted to prevent the spread of the virus:
(1) Staff to buy COVID self-test kits for DIY tests;
(2) Patients who have visited areas with COVID cases must display negative test results before allowed to enter the clinic;
(3) Disinfection of the clinic;
(4) Volunteers are strictly prohibited from reporting for duty at the clinic.

[Confirmed cases: 62430]

Singapore: Singapore enters Phase 3A (Heightened Alert) of reopening
Dining in resumes but in groups of two instead of five. Groups with more than two people from different households are not allowed to split into more tables of two.

Tzu Chi: Increase in the frequency of workplace disinfection
Weekly workplace disinfection will be conducted to reduce the spread of the virus. The study area at Humanistic Youth Centre is opened to two-person per group.

[Confirmed cased: 62470]

Tzu Chi: Suspension of Medical Services at Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Redhill)
With the latest escalation of the COVID-19 situation in the Redhill vicinity, the medical services at our Free Clinic (Redhill) will be suspended from 23 June to 4 July (Sunday).

[Confirmed cases: 62530]

Tzu Chi: The third season of “Mentoring with Love” online mentoring support programme (MWL) ends today
To help children catch up with their studies, 40 Tzu Chings and senior Tzu Chings signed up as mentors to provide 2 to 1 online mentoring sessions for 20 children of Tzu Chi care recipients.
(News: MWL 3.0 Ends with a Heart-warming “Fun Day with Love” Online Session)

[Confirmed cases: 62544]

Tzu Chi: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre invited by MOM to partner in a series of activities to care for the mental wellness of migrant workers
In May 2021, Tzu Chi Singapore was invited by the Ministry of Manpower to organise a series of online activities to care for the mental health of migrant workers. The first live online programme of the joint project named "Care for Migrant Worker's Mental Healthy", was broadcasted on this day.
(News: Caring for Migrant Workers’ mental health together with the Ministry of Manpower)

[Confirmed cases: 62553]

Tzu Chi: Distribution of care packs for staff, volunteers and stakeholders under quarantine
The resurgence of COVID cases in the community has resulted in an increasing number of people being put under quarantine. Tzu Chi distributed care packs to quarantined staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders to express its care and concern.
(News: Volunteers and Staff Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic Appreciate Timely Care and Support)

[Confirmed cases: 62589]

Tzu Chi: Operations and activities are adjusted accordingly for P3A(HA)

[Confirmed cases: 62617]

Tzu Chi: Live broadcast of "Super Sunday" online programme for renal patients
To keep home-bound renal patients updated and healthy, a special bi-monthly online programme named "Super Sunday" was launched by Tzu Chi Renal Support Group.
(News: Keeping Kidney Patients Active and Healthy with “Super Sunday”)

[Confirmed cases: 62718]

Singapore: An emergence of a new KTV cluster is announced by MOH. Dining-in resumed to groups of 5.
A new KTV cluster was announced by MOH today, and special testing operations would be conducted for all staff at the involved entertainment outlets. Free COVID-19 testing would also be extended to people who had visited these entertainment outlets, similar KTV lounges or clubs operating as F&B outlets.

[Confirmed cases: 62913]

Singapore: Closure of all nightlife establishments which had pivoted to operate as F&B outlets
All nightlife establishments that had pivoted to operate as food and beverage outlets would have to close for two weeks. This would affect more than 400 such businesses, said MOH. During the suspension period, all employees would be tested for COVID-19.

[Confirmed cases: 63245]

Singapore: Dining-in back to groups of 2, groups of 5 only if fully vaccinated
Due to the rise in community cases linked to the KTV and Jurong Fishery Port clusters, there would be further tightening of measures.

Tzu Chi: Implementation of new safety measures

[Confirmed cases: 63791]

Singapore: First day of return to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)
Dining-in to be suspended and group sizes for social gatherings to be capped at two people as Singapore returns to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) to combat a rise in local COVID-19 cases. This would be in place from July 22 to Aug 18.

Tzu Chi: Implementation of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) safety measures

[Confirmed cases: 64179]

Tzu Chi: Hosting of a webinar on mental wellness
Tzu Chi has been holding quarterly webinars on mental wellness with consultant psychiatrist Dr Yeo Seem Huat as the speaker since 21 March. The third webinar goes fully online due to the latest safety measures.

[Confirmed cases: 64314]

Tzu Chi: Volunteers and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated
Each staff and volunteer must have received at least one dose of vaccination to attend volunteer activities. Volunteers and staff serving at Tzu Chi's medicine, education and Jing Si outlets and are yet vaccinated are required to conduct a COVID self-test every two weeks.

[Confirmed cases: 65213]

Tzu Chi: "Healthier Me 21-Day Challenge" takes off with a trial run
Responding to Master Cheng Yen's appeal, Tzu Chi volunteers kicked started the trial run of "Healthier Me 21-Day Challenge" by inviting community volunteers to participate in the programme.
(News: 21-Day Healthy Diet Challenge Singapore Edition is now on)

[Confirmed cases: 65764]

Tzu Chi: Launching of COVID-19 fundraising campaign to send help to Malaysia
Tzu Chi Singapore launches the "Tzu Chi Malaysia COVID-19 Relief Works 2021" fundraising campaign which lasts for two months until 9 October to raise SGD 500k. (Campaign Page)

[Confirmed cases: 65890]

Singapore: Easing of COVID-19 measures for fully vaccinated people from today
Dining-in resumes for fully vaccinated people in groups of 5. For hawker centres and coffee shops, dining-in will be allowed for all in groups of 2 regardless of vaccination status. Social gatherings increased to groups of 5 for all, although unvaccinated people are encouraged to remain in groups of 2.

[Confirmed cases: 66119]

Tzu Chi: Tzu Chi's plant-based themed monthly online fellowship turns one
Volunteers at the East zone have been holding an online sharing session every month to share about vegetarianism, plant-based recipes and health tips.

[Confirmed cases: 66366]

Singapore: Further easing of COVID-19 measures from today
Event size to increase from a limit of 500 people to 1,000. 50% of the workforce allowed to return to office to work.

[Confirmed cases: 67390]

Tzu Chi: Celebrating National Day with migrant workers
HYC co-hosts a National Day carnival for migrant workers with five other welfare groups. Around 250 workers have participated in the event to get some fresh air and unwind themselves.
(News: Migrant Workers Enjoy a Day of Fun as Part of National Day Celebrations)

[Confirmed cases: 68210]

Singapore: Current measures will be maintained, with reliance on vaccination and testing to keep situation under control
Despite a recent spike in infections, measures will not be tightened further. COVID-19 vaccination booster shots will also be administered to two groups of people - those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, as well as those aged 60 and above, and residents of aged care facilities.

[Confirmed cases: 68901]

Tzu Chi: Increased disinfection practices at Jing Si Hall
UV ray disinfection to be conducted twice a month to reduce the risk of viral transmission.

[Confirmed cases: 69582]

Singapore: Tightening of measures due to recent spike in infections
All individuals should limit themselves to one social gathering a day, while social gatherings and interactions at workplaces will not be allowed from today.

[Confirmed cases: 72294]

Tzu Chi: Employees to conduct COVID-19 self-test once a week. Offline activities for volunteers are reduced
Employees are required to conduct ART tests on their own every week, and visits to Tzu Chi establishments are limited to one per day. Apart from charity home visits, volunteers are discouraged from attending other offline activities.

[Confirmed cases: 76792]

Singapore: Implementation of home-based learning for primary school students prior to PSLE
Home-based learning will be implemented for students from Primary 1 to 5 from Sep 27 until the end of PSLE. Primary 6 students will also go on a "study break" before their PSLE from Sep 25 to 29.

[Confirmed cases: 86157]

Tzu Chi: Launching of the "Care Report, Trace Support" work model
As the number of infected or quarantined care recipients exceeded 10, Tzu Chi launched the "Care Report, Trace Support" work model, which can better trace infected or quarantined care recipients to provide timely support, including regular care support through phone calls and urgent contactless aid supply delivery.
(News: We are with you in this pandemic, Care Recipients Experience a Touch of Warmth during a Trying Period)

[Confirmed cases: 86157]

Tzu Chi: Hosting of a webinar on mental wellness
Tzu Chi has been holding quarterly webinars on mental wellness with consultant psychiatrist Dr Yeo Seem Huat as the speaker since 21 March. The last webinar goes fully online due to the latest safety measures.

[Confirmed cases: 89539]

Singapore: Tightening of measures due to rise in infections
Dining-in group size limit at regular F&B outlets down to 2 from today; social gatherings reduced to 2 as well. Work from home to be default. These new measures will last till Oct 24.

Tzu Chi: Compliance with the latest tightened COVID-19 restrictions
Work from home to be default for staff. Apart from necessary charity work, all other volunteer activities are switched online.

[Confirmed cases: 94043]

Tzu Chi: Adjustments made to reduce risks of infection in charity home visits
Care beneficiaries who require material aid support will have their aid supply delivered to their doorstep. Households that do not require distribution of aid materials will be contacted by phone. If home visits are required, only fully vaccinated volunteers are allowed to visit the household in a team of two. Each pair can only see one family per day.

[Confirmed cases: 109804]

Tzu Chi: Special COVID-19 hotline for staff and volunteers
Tzu Chi has set up a care hotline for volunteers and staff who received a notification from the Ministry of Health so that they could immediately find out what to do next and at the same time.

[Confirmed cases: 124157]

Singapore: New measures announced as Singapore moves towards a new normal
Unvaccinated people will no longer be able to eat at hawker centres and enter shopping malls. Home recovery programme will also be extended to more people, with health protocols simplified.

Tzu Chi: The foundation raised SGD1.06 million to support its counterpart in Malaysia to help those affected by the pandemic
The two-month donation drive ended with great success by raising double the amount of its initial target due to the overwhelming response from the community.
(News: Stand in Solidarity with Malaysia – Every Contribution Counts)

[Confirmed cases: 132205]

Tzu Chi: Tea service for medical front liners working at Chia Ping Isolation Facility
Volunteers spent 2 hours at lunchtime each day over four weeks at the community isolation facility to support the frontline medical workers. Besides serving snacks and drinks to the frontliners, volunteers also offered companionship and words of encouragement to keep their spirit up.
(News: Unsung Frontline Heroes Touched by Care from Tzu Chi Volunteers, Providing physical and moral support for the frontliners)

[Confirmed cases: 158587]

Singapore: Under the Stablisation Phase, current COVID-19 measures will remain in place till November 21
The restrictions under the Stabilisation Phase, which started on 27 Sep and was originally scheduled to last until 24 Oct, was extended to reduce the strain on the country's healthcare system.

[Confirmed cases: 184419]

Tzu Chi: Tzu Chi invited to decorate the COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) at F1 Pit Building
NUHS invited Tzu Chi Singapore to decorate the CTF with Jing Si Aphorism posters and a warm wishes message board to instil positivity in both patients and medical staff.
(News: Injecting positivity through decorating a COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) with Jing Si Aphorisms Posters)

[Confirmed cases: 207975]

Tzu Chi: Launching of the "Covid-19 11Care Operation" project
Tzu Chi is ramping up its effort to care for its care recipients. To achieve that, a briefing session was held to brief home visiting volunteers on what to do in the latest relief programme. Besides encouraging care recipients to get vaccinated, Tzu Chi has also distributed 666 care packs, improved the quality of video calls to check on the households, and further emphasised the importance of hygiene through its virtual activities.

[Confirmed cases: 227681]

Singapore: Some COVID-19 measures eased from today due to stablising of situation
Key measures eased include allowing fully vaccinated people from the same household to dine in together in groups of five.

[Confirmed cases: 253649]

Singapore: More COVID-19 measures eased from today as Singapore transits out of Stablisation Phase
Fully vaccinated people, including those from different households, will be allowed to dine together in groups of up to five from today. The group size limit on social gatherings will also be raised from two to five people.

[Confirmed cases: 258785]

Tzu Chi: Gradual reopening of SEEN for the elderly to participate in centre's activities
The latest guidelines by the Ministry of Health allows seniors to take part in activities at elder care facilities in small groups of not more than five persons. Up to five volunteers are permitted to volunteer in each session.

[Confirmed cases: 263486]

Tzu Chi: Enhancement of antigen rapid testing facility and its procedure at various Tzu Chi establishments
To enable volunteers to gradually return to their volunteering work, the foundation began to review and strengthen the setup and procedures for rapid antigen testing.

[Confirmed cases: 264725]

Tzu Chi: Launching of COVID themed "The Merlion Story" art exhibition at Humanistic Youth Centre
World-renowned artist Cherina has been stranded in Singapore for nearly two years due to COVID-19. Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre hosted an art exhibition - "The Merlion Story", to showcase Cherina's pandemic themed artwork.
(News: “The Merlion Story” is the fusion of Art and Great Love)

[Confirmed cases: 274143]

Singapore: Further easing of COVID-19 measures from Jan 1, 2022 as announced.
Work-from-home no longer the default mode from Jan 1 as up to 50% of workers are allowed back in the office.

[Confirmed cases: 275655]

Tzu Chi: Tzu Chi Singapore held hybrid Year End Blessing ceremony
Twenty sessions of Year End Blessing ceremony were held at Jing Si Hall over two weekends while complying with COVID restrictions.