新加坡：主动放弃打疫苗者 需自付新冠医药费 Singapore to start charging Covid patients who are ‘unvaccinated by choice’

新加坡卫生部宣布，从12月8日起，符合接种疫苗条件却主动放弃接种的人，若感染新冠病毒，需自付医药费。此举是为了鼓励未接种疫苗的民众尽快接种。

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.

随着近期新冠病例激增，新加坡政府表示，新加坡将不再为“自愿选择不打疫苗的”人群支付新冠肺炎医疗账单。

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.

新加坡政府目前为所有公民、永久居民和长期签证持有者全额支付新冠肺炎医疗费用，从海外归国后不久检测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，新加坡政府称，将从12月8日起“开始对自愿选择不打疫苗的新冠患者收取治疗费”。

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“占据了重症监护患者的大多数，并且极大地造成国内医疗资源的紧张”。

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.

对于不符合接种疫苗条件的患者，政府依然会为其支付新冠相关医疗账单。政府还会继续为只打了第一针疫苗的患者承担新冠治疗费，直到12月31日，好让他们有时间打第二针。

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.

新加坡的疫苗接种率是全世界最高的，符合接种条件的人口已有85%完成接种。

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，该国目前正在努力应对不断增加的新冠病例。上个月新加坡政府警告称，医疗系统可能会因新冠病例暴增而“不堪重负”。一天前，新加坡刚刚扩大入境免隔离名单，这是该国应对疫情的新举措。

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.

新加坡总理李显龙先前表示，作为全球经济中心，新加坡不能无限期地封闭国门，新加坡已经从封锁和关闭边境的“清零”策略转变为与新冠共存的新模式。

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后确诊病例数量激增，迫使该国在十月底暂停进一步开放国门。为了遏制新冠病毒传播，减轻对医疗系统的压力，政府将社交限制措施延期了近一个月。

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，该国报告了2470例新增病例和14例死亡病例。卫生部称，67例新冠患者目前在重症监护室接受治疗。

英文来源：卫报

翻译&编辑：丹妮