Frequently Asked Questions

The COVID-19 PCR Swab Test can be conducted for anyone on a voluntary basis, therefore an approval letter is not necessary. However, the cost of the test will not be subsidized by Ministry of Health (MOH).

Etern Medical Clinics are PHPC accredited. Our doctors will continue to conduct swab test where indicated in the course of seeing patients whom have symptoms that is suggestive of COVID-19 infection. The swab is subsidized by Ministry of Health (MOH).

The required testing window is determined based on your flight timing. Your Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test should be conducted at least 48 or 72 hours prior to your flight (whichever is the applicable requirements set out by your country of destination The likelihood of the Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test results not being ready is high if the test is conducted less than 48 hours prior to your flight, hence no Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test will be conducted for any person leaving in less than 48 hours.

Making an appointment for your Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test with us is recommended. You can have a Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test on a walk-in basis if you show the necessary documents: - NRIC, Work Pass and Passport - Details of flight (hard or soft copy permitted)

Verification of your physical NRIC and Passport is part of our protocol. Your particulars will be reflected on your results memo. In an event that your test result is positive, your local address and handphone number helps to facilitate contract tracing and is therefore necessary.

You may request a hardcopy of the test results at the clinic where you did the swab test at. We will not charge you additional fees.

Etern Medical works with authorized laboratory partners appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Tests. Delays may possibly occur in the transport, processing of specimen and in the delivery of the results. Should the results fail to be furnished within 4 hours of your departure due to exigencies of service on the part of Etern Medical and/or our laboratory partners, a full refund will be given. Etern Medical and/or the partner laboratories shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs and liabilities (including but not limited to, any direct or indirect damages for costs, loss of income, revenue or profits, business interruption) resulting or arising directly or indirectly from your use of our test services. The terms and conditions of our Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test service will be shared with you during the point of registration for your review and acceptance before the test commences.

Etern Medical will provide the standardized Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test digital health certificate and hard copy of memo as guided by the Ministry of Health (MOH). It is not part of our routine to raise additional memos relating to pre-departure swab tests. However, should you need any additional memos, do raise them to our staff prior to the Pre-Departure COVID-19 Swab Test. Additional memo like fit to travel certification is subject to the type of request and/or additional charges.

If your Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab Test result return as positive, we are unable to issue a memo for fitness to travel. We will contact you to make arrangements for a referral to NCID for subsequent care and management for your COVID-19 infection.

If your result happened to return as inconclusive, a repeat test may be conducted but do note that it is chargeable. Should this result affect your departure, Etern and/or the appointed laboratories vendor(s) shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs or liabilities.

Antigen test is a point of care test. This test detects protein fragments specific to the Coronavirus. It can be done instantly and the turnaround time for the result is within 20-30 minutes whereas PCR test. PCR testing is for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This test actually detects RNA that is specific to the virus and can detect the virus within days of infection, even those who have no symptoms. The turnaround time of the results takes around 24 hours to 48 hours.

In those who don’t have symptoms, the false negative rate — meaning my test is negative but I actually have the disease — can be as high as 50%. This can have tremendous consequences as we try to contain the spread of COVID-19. False positive results means you are tested positive but you do not really have the disease.

Current recommendation is to have a confirmation test performed (the PCR test) if you still have symptoms and have had a negative rapid test. This is especially true if you’ve had a high-risk exposure. A high risk exposure is considered more than 15 minutes of contact with a COVID-positive individual in a 24-hour period and you have been within 6 feet of this individual.

ART involves using a nasal swab from the lower part of the nose and should not be uncomfortable.

Yes, you may request for a hardcopy of the ART results free of charge at our clinic.

There will be no consultation fees or additional charges for the service. However, if you are consulting for other medical conditions, you will be billed accordingly.

If your Antigen Rapid Test (ART) result turned out inconclusive, a repeat test will be conducted on the spot.