新加坡衛生部宣布,從12月8日起,符合接種疫苗條件卻主動放棄接種的人,若感染新冠病毒,需自付醫藥費。此舉是爲了鼓勵未接種疫苗的民衆盡快接種。
People cross a road, amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Singapore November 3, 2021. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
Singapore will no longer pay the Covid-19 medical bills for people “unvaccinated by choice”, the government said, as the country grapples with a surge in cases.
隨著近期新冠病例激增,新加坡政府表示,新加坡將不再爲“自願選擇不打疫苗的”人群支付新冠肺炎醫療賬單。
The government currently covers the full Covid medical costs for all Singaporeans, as well as permanent residents and long-term visa holders, unless they test positive soon after returning home from overseas.
新加坡政府目前爲所有公民、永久居民和長期簽證持有者全額支付新冠肺炎醫療費用,從海外歸國後不久檢測出感染新冠病毒的人除外。
However from 8 December, the government said it will “begin charging Covid-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice”.
但是,新加坡政府稱,將從12月8日起“開始對自願選擇不打疫苗的新冠患者收取治療費”。
It said unvaccinated people “make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive in-patient care and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources”.
新加坡政府指出,不打疫苗的人“占據了重症監護患者的大多數,並且極大地造成國內醫療資源的緊張”。
Covid-related medical bills will still be paid for people who aren’t eligible for a vaccine. The government will also foot the bill for individuals who are partially vaccinated until 31 December, giving them time to get a second dose.
對于不符合接種疫苗條件的患者,政府依然會爲其支付新冠相關醫療賬單。政府還會繼續爲只打了第一針疫苗的患者承擔新冠治療費,直到12月31日,好讓他們有時間打第二針。
People above 70 years old wait in an observation area after getting a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a vaccination center in Singapore January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su
Singapore has among the highest coverage rates in the world, with 85% of the eligible population fully vaccinated.
新加坡的疫苗接種率是全世界最高的,符合接種條件的人口已有85%完成接種。
Yet the city state is struggling with rising Covid infections and last month warned its healthcare system was at risk of being “overwhelmed” by surging cases. It came a day after the country expanded quarantine-free travel as part of a shift in its approach to dealing with the pandemic.
但是,該國目前正在努力應對不斷增加的新冠病例。上個月新加坡政府警告稱,醫療系統可能會因新冠病例暴增而“不堪重負”。一天前,新加坡剛剛擴大入境免隔離名單,這是該國應對疫情的新舉措。
The prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, previously said the global business hub could not remain closed indefinitely, and Singapore has moved from a zero-tolerance strategy with lockdowns and closed borders to living with Covid-19.
新加坡總理李顯龍先前表示,作爲全球經濟中心,新加坡不能無限期地封閉國門,新加坡已經從封鎖和關閉邊境的“清零”策略轉變爲與新冠共存的新模式。
A spike in infections after the relaxation of some restrictions prompted the island to pause further reopening in late October. Social curbs were extended for around a month in order to contain the spread of Covid and ease the pressure on the healthcare system.
新加坡放松部分限制措施後確診病例數量激增,迫使該國在十月底暫停進一步開放國門。爲了遏制新冠病毒傳播,減輕對醫療系統的壓力,政府將社交限制措施延期了近一個月。
On 8 November, the country reported 2,470 new cases and 14 deaths. The ministry of heath said 67 Covid cases were critically ill in intensive care.
11月8日,該國報告了2470例新增病例和14例死亡病例。衛生部稱,67例新冠患者目前在重症監護室接受治療。
英文來源:衛報
翻譯&編輯:丹妮