What is Pre-Event Testing (PET) and All you need to know as an Event Planner

Pre event testing singapore

New Covid-19 measures in Singapore are being announced fortnightly. On May 4, it was announced that social gatherings will be capped to 5 people only. Just 10 days later, this limit has been scaled down to 2. For events such as Weddings and Solemnisation, Live Performances and Corporate MICE events, the capacity has been capped at 100 people. Pre-Event Testing (PET) is now compulsory for any of these events with more than 50 people in attendance. With this buzzword floating around, PET is slowly inching its way into our lives and hence now would be a good time to learn more about this necessary procedure. Read on to learn more! 

Pre-event testing happening before an event

Photo credit to The Straits Times

All you need to know about PET

1. What is PET?

PET is basically a Covid-19 test taken by event attendees who wish to join events of a larger scale in Singapore. If you plan to attend an event with more than 50 attendees, you need a valid negative Covid-19 test result for admission. There are 2 tests you can take – Antigen Rapid Test (ART) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Currently, ART is the preferred choice due to its quick turnaround rate – it only takes 30 minutes for you to get swabbed and receive your results! Meanwhile, it takes 48 hours for PCR test results to be released. 

2. Why is PET needed?

PET has become a vital precaution to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Attending a larger event size means greater vulnerability to cluster breakouts. Therefore with PET, attendees will ensure they are in good health and can prevent risking any viral spread to others. 

3. Who is it for?

For everyone who has not been fully vaccinated. This includes those who are still waiting for their second dose of vaccine or haven’t completed 2 weeks notice period after their full vaccination. Meanwhile, those who have taken both the doses and waited 2 weeks since then, do not need PET. Alternatively, those who have recovered from a Covid-19 infection can gain an exemption notice from a clinic to be exempted from PET. 

4. When should we take PET?

This Covid-19 test result is only valid for 24 hours from the time you register in person at the testing premises. You will thus need to complete attending your event/activity within these 24 hours. A good rule of thumb is to get tested right before your event or plan 24 hours before the end of your event’s attendance. 

5. Where can we take PET?

PET is available at any MOH-approved Covid-19 test provider. To learn more about a PET provider near you, click here for an extensive list of approved clinics. 

6. Is PET free?

Nope, PET is not free. The cost of testing will not be covered by the government unless you show symptoms of acute respiratory infection. In the case of the latter, the test will be fully funded. PET (such as ART) can cost up to $45 in testing centres and this price may vary if people get tested in bulk (for an event). Additional costs may apply for event organizers who wish to conduct testing on-site. As guests attending large scale events, you can check with your event organiser to see if PET costs are covered in the admission rates. If not, you would need to visit a test provider on your own. 

For the event planners to take note:

This might all seem very overwhelming but fret not! Let us break this down for you into bite-sized information! There are just 4 steps for you to take note of:

Pre-event testing 4 steps to note

Photo credit to Ministry of Health Singapore

As an event planner, the biggest hurdle can be seen in finding how to integrate PET checks into your event. If you are a wedding planner, you do not need pre-approval from MOH before conducting PET for you and your guests. Non-wedding events, on the other hand, require approval from relevant sector leads and MOH too, if the PET is being conducted at their own event’s premises. 

As an event planner who requires PET for their guests, you can choose to either:

  • Direct your guests to the MOH-approved clinics for testing; or
  • Conduct testing at the event’s venue – contact a test provider to see if the venue is suitable for PET to be done.

Once your guests have completed their PET, they need to produce at least one of the following documents to gain entry into the event premises:

  • Valid documentation of Covid-19 negative test result notice (ART/PCR) 
  • PET Exemption notice (recovery from Covid-19 infection)
  • ART Result Slip
  • PET Status on Safe Entry Business App

Learn more about the resources in detail here. Once the documents have been procured by your guests, make sure to check them on the day of the event!

Stay Safe with Venuerific

All in all, hosting an event in this climate may sound scary. It’s definitely not the easiest time for the events community. However, as the popular saying goes: the show must go on (especially if it was planned way in advance!). The bottom line is to exercise the necessary precautions to safely host your event. You could also look at digital alternatives such as hosting webinars, live streaming your events or organising a virtual wedding! Lucky for you, Venuerific provides solutions for all 3! Click here to sign up with us to stay in touch with the latest developments for the events community. 

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