Updated Guidelines for Volunteer Management During COVID-19 Pandemic

Note: This supersedes the earlier Guidelines for Volunteer Management during COVID-19 Pandemic, dated 29 March 2022

1. In line with further easing of community Safe Management Measures (SMMs) as announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) on 22 April 2022, the guidelines for volunteer management during COVID-19 pandemic are updated accordingly. This will take effect from 26 April 2022 and will remain in effect until otherwise advised¹.
2. This document provides guidance to individuals and organisations on their volunteering activities as we make a significant move to ease our community SMMs.
   
   
   Approach for Easing of Community SMMs   
   
   

3. Volunteers continue to play a key role in the fight against COVID-19. Their activities include promoting social responsibility, supporting essential services and caring for the vulnerable segments.

4. Volunteer Host Organisations (VHOs)² can continue to enlist volunteers to support essential aid distribution (i.e. supplies necessary for daily sustenance such as cooked food and food rations, and urgent financial aid) and respond to other community needs in accordance with prevailing SMMs and guidelines for the specific sector³.

5. VHOs should also collaborate and coordinate with partners to minimise duplicative efforts, and reduce excessive movement of staff and volunteers and physical interactions.

   Assess risk and apply safe management measures

6. VHOs must conduct volunteer activity risk assessment to assess the format for the activity and deployment of volunteers (See Annex A for an illustration).

7. Should face-to-face interactions be necessary for volunteering activities, VHOs must ensure compliance with safe management measures. These measures include:

   a. Mask-wearing will continue to be required for indoor settings, but will be optional in outdoor settings⁴. However, staff and volunteers are encouraged to wear their masks even when outdoors for personal protection and to protect others, especially in crowded areas. Staff and volunteers should not participate if unwell.

   b. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to complete the full COVID-19 vaccination regime before volunteering for an activity. Volunteers should adhere to all safe management measures and vaccination requirements as required by the VHO. This is to minimise the risk of transmission between volunteers and vulnerable service users.

   c. Encourage staff and volunteers to observe good personal hygiene, e.g. wash their hands regularly and refrain from touching their face. 

   d. Reduce frequency and duration of physical interactions with beneficiaries, e.g. consolidate essential aid to be delivered to reduce the number of physical trips and avoid physical interactions by leaving supplies at the door. For beneficiaries who are seniors, deliver essential aid to their doorstep as far as possible, so that they do not have to venture out to do collection.

   e. Where it is not feasible to arrange for delivery, designated collection points can also be set up in the vicinity for beneficiaries to collect the essential aid with the necessary precautionary measures to ensure safe management. Buffet set-ups should be avoided.

   f. Using the TraceTogether application or token is required for larger events with more than 500 persons at any one time, where Vaccination-Differentiated SMMs (VDS) checks are still required at entry. More information on TraceTogether can be found at www.tracetogether.gov.sg.

    
   Ensure safety and well-being of volunteers
   
   
8. VHOs must continue to ensure the safety and well-being of their volunteers. The volunteers should be informed about the risks, and the measures taken by the VHO to protect them. This can include a briefing on the volunteer activity and precautionary measures, and shall be conducted remotely online, where possible. VHOs are to provide a contact number for volunteers to call in case of emergency or if they feel distressed. VHOs shall also actively seek feedback from volunteers and help to address their concerns, if any.

9. Even with safe management measures and gradual resumption of activities, there is a risk that COVID-19 transmission may happen. VHOs must be prepared to help volunteers who have contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty. VHOs should also provide emotional support to any volunteer who needs it, and can tap on the National Care hotline.

10. VHOs should also find ways to show their appreciation for their volunteers’ efforts, which can include sharing positive stories through the SG Cares App, providing words of encouragement, and tokens of appreciation.

    
    Sustain engagement of supporters and volunteers
    
    

11. VHOs are strongly encouraged to continue to communicate and engage their supporters and volunteers during this period even if they are not deployed. This will allow VHOs to activate volunteer resources quickly when the situation improves. Activities by VHOs can include doing the following remotely:

    a. Keep supporters informed of the current happenings and initiatives

    b. Share stories to motivate volunteers to step up;

    c. Encourage creative and safe ways to volunteer, both remotely and on-site;

    d. Build online communities and social networks; and

    e. Leverage online volunteer opportunities portals, communication tools and learning resources (See Annex B for a list of resources).

12. These measures will be revised in tandem with future adjustments in MOH’s guidelines. Depending on the risk assessment and our safe management practices, MCCY will issue further advisories to guide VHOs on the management and deployment of volunteers. We need to remain cautious and stay safe as long as the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains. 

    
    Working Together to Emerge Stronger
    
    

13. The community and volunteers shape a caring and united Singapore. With everyone playing their part and supporting each other, we can overcome this pandemic and emerge stronger.

    
    For Enquires
    
    
14. For clarifications or enquires, VHOs can write in to SGCares@mccy.gov.sg.