COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A guarantor may transfer his/her rights as a guarantor/designated visitor by completing an authorisation form available from Orange Valley Nursing Homes.

Once you have transferred your rights as a guarantor, you will not be allowed to change the designated visitors.

Only designated visitors who pre-register are allowed entry into the homes. Non-designated visitors will not be allowed entry into the premises. 

Pre-registration is required for all visitors.

• By default, the resident’s guarantors are the designated visitors plus 2 appointed visitors. (not limited to family only) 
• Visitors are reminded to be punctual for their visit as there are limited visitor spots available per day, in compliance with MOH guidelines. 
• Visitors can book an appointment via https://orangevalley.werkdone.com/. Please ensure that you have a confirmed time slot in advance before your visit. 
• Should you require further assistance, please contact our Care Coordinators at:
  Balestier: 9274 3438Changi: 9274 3572Clementi: 9274 3736

  Marsiling: 9274 3924

  Simei: 9274 4096

Entry into the premises will strictly not be allowed in the following instances: 

• Visitors with presence of any cough, fever (37.5 °C and above), flu, shortness of breath, and related symptoms.
• Visitors who have contact history with a Covid positive person in the last 5 days.

Visitors who are permitted to enter Orange Valley should wear a face mask while on the premises, and practise good personal hygiene at all times. Please note that a face shield alone is not acceptable for use during your visit. 

Face-to-face visits is conducted in our meeting rooms or multi-purpose halls. Visits in the wards are STRICTLY for bed-bound and special exemption.   

You are also advised to use the hand sanitisers provided in the homes, and to observe safe distancing of at least one metre when visiting to minimise the risk of infection. 

We will continue to facilitate communication with residents through telephone and video calls.

Please contact our branches to arrange for a phone or video call :

• Balestier: (65) 6250 6636    • Changi : (65) 6545 5977
• Clementi: (65) 6873 9988    • Marsiling : (65) 6362 7333      
• Simei: (65) 6260 0020

Please take note that outside food is allowed inside the premises strictly for resident consumption only. 

Please inform the customer care consultant when making the appointment. Our nurses will make arrangements for you to visit your bed bound relative in the ward.  

We will continue to facilitate video conferencing and telephone calls for all residents. Please call the branch or email enquiry@orangevalley.sg to make the necessary arrangements. 

Residents of Orange Valley are allowed to be on home leave (No cap in duration of home leave) with the following guideline: 

Home leave is not permitted if: 

Should anyone living in the same residence be tested COVID-19 positive, unwell with fever and/or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) 12 and/or infectious disease.  

Before the resident goes on home leave, the caregiver should understand precautionary measures to undertake.  

Caregiver to sign a letter of undertaking and acknowledge the precautions needed to safeguard the health of other residents and staff.  

The caregiver/resident should be advised on the following:  

To adhere to prevailing SMMs in the community e.g. social gatherings of up to 10 persons per gathering. 

To strictly disallow the resident’s contact with individuals who are tested positive for COVID-19 as well as individuals who are unwell with fever and/or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and/or diagnosed with an infectious disease;  

To ensure the resident to wear a surgical mask when outside of the house at indoor settings and outdoor settings where possible (especially at crowded places), practice good hand washing, personal hygiene and observe all measures put in place by the relevant authorities;  

To download and activate the TraceTogether application or bring along the wearable TraceTogether token (if issued to the resident) when outside of the house;  

The caregiver is to monitor resident for symptoms of ARI and to alert the provider and bring the resident to visit a doctor immediately if the resident happens to become unwell whilst on home leave.  

The caregiver should comply with the prevailing precautionary measures at the Home. Two caregivers can enter the Home’s premises to pick up the resident for home leave. A designated waiting area and bring the resident to the caregiver, so that the caregiver does not enter the wards.  

Should any individual who comes into contact with the resident during the period of his/her home leave:
1. Develops fever and/or presence of cough, flu, shortness of breath and related symptoms.
2. Tested positive for Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infection include cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat and anosmia.
3. COVID-19
4. Diagnosed with an infectious disease

;During the period of home leave or in the two (2) days from the date the resident returns to the Home, the caregiver is to inform the provider of this information immediately. 

No testing is required unless resident is symptomatic or with abnormal vital signs. Our nurses are to monitor the resident closely for 5 days after admission, inclusive of residents that are:        

• New and returning admissions to include admissions from hospitals or from the community Homes  

• SOC visits, dialysis sessions, day surgery (not admitted),medical  appointments and dental appointments) 
• Home Leave 

Regular surveillance testing: 

Fully vaccinated residents are exempted from regular surveillance testing. Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated residents are to be tested once every 7 days via ART. If the resident has had a PCR/ART test that week, it can substitute the surveillance testing requirement. 

Recovered from COVID-19 infection ≤ 180 days and are asymptomatic: 

Exempted from testing protocols, including regular surveillance testing and Health Risk Notice (HRN) protocol regardless of vaccination status. 

Recovered from COVID-19 infection > 180 days and are asymptomatic: 

Asymptomatic fully vaccinated residents will be exempted from all testing protocols (and also from HRN protocol). This includes persons who     

1. a) recovered from a COVID-19 infection and subsequently receives at least one dose of vaccine no earlier than 3 months (minimally 28 days) after the date of positive PCR, and 
2. b) are fully vaccinated before being infected with COVID-19 and subsequently recovering from it. Persons who received one dose of vaccine before being infected would need to receive their 2nd dose to be exempted. Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated residents are required to undergo the testing protocols (and HRN protocol).

Residents presenting withsymptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI), including fever or signs ofclinical pneumonia OR with abnormal vital signs as compared to their baseline:  

Under enhanced surveillance due to a C+ case, to follow Care@NH protocols or as advised by AIC. For NHs not under enhanced surveillance, resident should be tested via nasopharyngeal PCR swab followed by an ART, and isolated upon onset of symptoms in addition to being referred for medical review. Resident who has recovered from COVID-19 infection and develop symptoms of ARI such as fever within 90 days of the date he/she tested COVID-19 positive need not be swabbed. 

Regular Surveillance Testing for Residential Care Staff: 

Staff surveillance testing has been suspended with effect from 21 March 2022. Staff who feel unwell with mild or severe symptoms should self-test via ART and follow the relevant national-level health protocols if they test positive.  

In addition, all our homes have been taking the following precautionary measures in line with advisories from AIC and MOH: 

• The frequency of environmental cleaning to wards, toilets and common areas like dining area, lifts, handrails, door knobs, etc has been increased at all Orange Valley Nursing Homes. 
• Residents’ temperatures are taken twice daily at 6am and 6pm. Residents will be monitored closely, and those exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be isolated and/or sent to the A&E immediately. 
• All staff take their temperature twice a day. Staff who are unwell will be relieved from their duties, and isolated immediately. 

If you have any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact Orange Valley’s Quality & Regulatory Affairs Department at enquiry@orangevalley.sg.