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IT.com will showcase all the benefits of its registry at the top global domain event NamesCon 2022

The company will participate in-person at the leading professional domain conference NamesCon 2022, that will take place in Austin, Texas (USA), from August 31st to September 3rd inclusive, 2022. AUSTIN, Texas, August 30, 2022 – IT.com joins the agenda of this year’s NamesCon – the top global event for domain professionals – as a Diamond Partner, alongside GoDaddy. IT.com was acquired in 2021 for $3.8 million, marking it as the biggest domain sale of the year. It was purchased by UK-based Intis Telecom, which has been operating globally in the telecommunications and technology sphere for over 14 years, its operations spanning 180 countries across the globe. Now the company is offering the opportunity to purchase global domains within the ‘IT.com’ registry, providing all the benefits of ‘.com’ and beyond. At NamesCon 2022 IT.com will be represented by Joe Alagna, an industry expert, who was CentralNic’s General Manager for North American Markets for 12 years, and then worked for 101domain and the Afilias Registry. As IT.com advisor, he will deliver a keynote, providing in-depth information on the opportunities the new registry brings to the registrars, domain investors and businesses globally. He will show how it can help them to avoid the compromises often associated with regional or exotic domain names. Moreover, he will talk about the unique market propositions of IT.com, such as opportunities for Italian companies and the potential for exploring creative third-level domain cases. The conference is back offline and will be held as an in-person event for the first time since 2020. It will take place in Austin, Texas (USA), from August 31st to September 3rd inc. The IT.com keynote will be delivered on September 2nd from 11:35 to 11:55 CDT. You can register for the conference right here. Media contact Brand: UK Intis Telecom LTD Contact: Andrey Insarov E-mail: info@it.com Website: https://get.it.com/ Telephone: +44 7392000000 SOURCE: UK Intis Telecom LTD The article is provided by a third-party content provider. SEAPRWire ( https://www.seaprwire.com/ ) makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith. Any questions, please contact cs/at/SEAPRWire.com Sectors: Top Story, Daily News SEA PRWire: PR distribution in Southeast Asia (Hong Kong: AsiaExcite, EastMud; AsiaEase; Singapore: SEAChronicle, VOASG; NetDace; Thailand: SEAsiabiz, AccessTH; Indonesia: SEATribune, DailyBerita; Philippines: SEATickers, PHNotes; Malaysia: SEANewswire, KULPR; Vietnam: SEANewsDesk, PostVN)

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P2E Game Drunk Robots Announce Its IDO

Tallinn, Estonia, May 2, 2022 – (SEAPRWire) – Drunk Robots is proud to announce its IDO launching. The IDO launches successfully on several launchpads, including Liquidifty and TrustPad, selling out all the allocated $METAL tokens. They were sold out in just 3 minutes a few months ago. Users still can buy $METAL on PancakeSwap and Gate.io, while robots are available off the secondary market. Drunk Robots bring back fun to P2E games Earning money while playing games is a dream for many. eSports professionals already make thousands in tournament awards – but they have sponsor contracts and so can dedicate themselves to gaming full-time. What about simple gamers who can only play for a couple of hours a day? Play-to-Earn and NFT-based games offer a solution. Now anyone can earn cryptocurrency for completing challenges and winning battles in hundreds of blockchain games. Play2Earn rewards can even become one’s main source of income, as it happened with many Axie Infinity aficionados in the Philippines. The only problem is that there are too many similar P2E games out there now, often sacrificing gameplay and design to release the project as quickly as possible. The real quest in Play2Earn is to find a game that delivers both a fun experience and good rewards. This is what the creators of Drunk Robots had in mind when they created the funky and violent world of Los Machines, a dangerous crumpling megapolis ruled by robotic gangs. Start playing with $0 investment Drunk Robots is a brutally fun adventure inspired by post-apocalyptic films and games like Mad Max. Players control robots that are interested in nothing but street fighting and booze. As users take part in battles against the AI (PvE mode) and against other users (PvP mode), they earn $METAL tokens and accessories to level up and customize the robot. Drunk Robots runs on BSC (Binance Smart Chain), the most popular network for P2E and metaverse games. There are 10,101 Drunk Robots in all, each of them a unique NFT with hand-drawn traits. A lot of P2E games require investments of hundreds of dollars in character NFTs before users can play. Drunk Robots is different: it has several free arcade games where players can start earning $METAL and $JUNK or simply have a fun time: Knockout: try to take out the bad robots before they take out you. Score 100 points and get a share of the weekly prize of 500 $JUNK;Endless runner: help Ninja the robot to escape after robbing a store and collect points along the way. Once players get your first robots, they will be able to access several more game modes: PvP mode: defeat other robots in metal-clanging duels and get to the top of the leaderboards to win some serious prizes;Drunk Race: get yourself a robot, mint a cart, then race around the city and win $METAL;Scavenging: stake your robot to get daily $JUNK payouts. Community Drunk Robots proves that it’s possible to earn tokens and have insane fun while playing a P2E game – all this without any hefty initial investments. The project has a very active community and constantly holds contests and giveaways, so it’s worth checking out what’s going on on Twitter and in Discord before you send a boozy robot into battle. Stay tuned and follow the social media of the project: Medium: https://drunk-robots.medium.com Discord: https://discord.com/invite/drunk-robots  Twitter: https://twitter.com/drunk_robots  Telegram: https://t.me/drunkrobots  Instagram: https://instagram.com/drunk_robots/ Media Contact Brand: Drunk Robots Contact: Slava Mikhalkin E-Mail: hello@drunk-robots.com Website: https://drunk-robots.com/ SOURCE: Drunk Robots The article is provided by a third-party content provider. SEAPRWIRE makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith. Any questions, please contact cs@SEAPRWIRE.com Sectors: Top Story, Daily News SEAPRWIRE (www.seaprwire.com) offers newswire service in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines & Hong Kong )

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‘I couldn’t sleep last night’: First bus passengers from S’pore head to Johor Baru for family reunions

SINGAPORE - Biotechnologist Kelvin Teo, 35, has not been back home since March 18 last year, when Malaysia imposed a partial lockdown as the Covid-19 pandemic situation deteriorated. Excited to see their family and friends in Johor Baru, he and his wife Christine Poh, 34, turned up at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange at 5.30am on Monday morning (Nov 29) - 2½ hours before the first bus under the Singapore-Malaysia land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) was due to depart at 8am. Ms Poh, an interior designer, told The Straits Times: "When Malaysia announced the lockdown, we decided to come to Singapore for two weeks because my husband works here. But then, two weeks became two years." Mr Teo said: "Our parents don't know we are coming. They've been calling us every night to ask us if we've booked tickets. We are planning to surprise them." The couple had with them a suitcase of snacks, including titbits from Don Don Donki for Ms Poh's three nieces. The couple are among about 1,440 people expected to leave Singapore via the VTL, which started smoothly on Monday. The only hiccup was when a woman was denied boarding because she is not a Malaysia long-term pass holder. Only citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders of the country they are entering can travel under the first phase of the land VTL. Two other passengers did not show up. Malaysian waitress Woo Pey Fen, 41, and her two children were also waiting in line. The family spent eight hours last Thursday and used four devices before they managed to book the bus tickets. Twelve-year-old Zhan Hua said he is looking forward to eating his grandmother's home-cooked chicken chop. He said: "We are very close to my grandmother. Our family keep our own chickens and you can't find such crispy and juicy chicken chop here." His only regret: "My father can't go back with us because he's busy. But he told us to help him hug his parents." Mr Kelvin Teo (second from right) and his wife Christine Poh waiting to board the bus to Malaysia at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange on Nov 29, 2021. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI By 6.30am, there were 15 people in the queue as bus operator Transtar Travel checked hard copies of the essential documents that travellers must have with them. These include vaccination certificates and pre-departure Covid-19 test results. At around 9.10am, the Transtar Travel bus pulled into Larkin Sentral terminal in Johor Baru. About 1,440 Singapore citizens, permanent residents and Singapore long-term pass holders are also expected to cross the Causeway into the Republic on Monday. The land VTL currently prioritises workers in Singapore or Malaysia who have not been able to return home since the land border was shut in March last year. More on this topic   Related Story 'Welcome back': Malaysia greets first VTL arrivals from Singapore   Related Story Malaysia PM Ismail, PM Lee witness land VTL launch at Woodlands Checkpoint Travellers no longer have to serve quarantine upon arrival, unlike those returning home via the Periodic Commuting Arrangement, which requires a seven-day quarantine at designated facilities or hotels upon arrival in Malaysia or Singapore. Instead, they must test negative in a pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or professionally administered antigen rapid test (ART) - done within two days before departure. On arrival, they will also be required to take an ART test.  In preparation for its first trip, Transtar Travel has thoroughly disinfected and sterilised its buses. Singapore-Malaysia VTL: Travellers at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange In a video posted on Facebook, the Singapore bus company detailed the thorough disinfection process its buses go through, which includes the wiping down of passenger seats and high-touch points with hospital-grade disinfectant. An electrostatic fogging machine provides a second layer of protection against Covid-19, which can spread via airborne transmission. Transtar Travel is one of two appointed bus operators that will run 64 daily VTL bus trips between Malaysia and Singapore. Up to 45 seated passengers are allowed per trip. Passengers to Malaysia queueing at the Transtar Travel counter at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange on Nov 29, 2021. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The other bus operator is Malaysian bus company Handal Indah, also known as Causeway Link. At Queen Street Bus Terminal, solo travellers and families were buzzing with excitement before the first two VTL buses run by Handal Indah were set to leave at 9am. Both buses left about half an hour later because two passengers in each bus did not show up. PM Lee, PM Ismail witness official launch of Singapore-Malaysia land VTL The first in line was teacher Tan Hui Yang, who will be celebrating her 33rd birthday today with her family in Johor Baru for the first time since 2019. "I couldn't sleep last night. I was too excited and counting down the hours," Ms Tan said. She woke up at 4am and started queueing at 6.50am.  "Before Covid-19, I would go back every weekend. I miss my family, especially my niece and nephew, but with video calls, it's not so bad," she added.  "I can't wait to see my grandma, who is 83 years old. Every week, she would video-call me, and she would tell me not to be upset (that I can't come back) and that I'll be coming home soon." Ms Tan Hui Yang (in floral top) and her aunt Sherry Sim, both in the education sector, waiting for the bus to Malaysia at Queen Street Bus Terminal on Nov 29, 2021. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Ms Tan had booked a VTL flight to Kuala Lumpur, and another flight from the Malaysian capital to Johor Baru, but cancelled them once the VTL land was announced. Another passenger, Ms Moon Chong, is expecting to travel for more than 12 hours to her home town in Perak to see her two sons, aged five and seven. Her bus is expected to depart at 9.45am. "I have to take a bus from JB to KL, and another one from KL to Perak, but I didn't manage to book any. I think I'll reach home at 10pm tonight, hopefully," the 30-year-old administrator said. "I can't wait to see my two kids, whom I haven't seen since Chinese New Year last year," she added. "It's tough because I missed the first time my seven-year-old son entered primary school, and I missed both their birthdays for two years. My husband didn't manage to take leave, so he is not coming back with me." Handal Indah employees checking passengers' documents at Queen Street Bus Terminal on Nov 29, 2021. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN The first Transtar Travel bus from Malaysia is expected to arrive at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange at 10.50am. Upon arrival, passengers will proceed to a cordoned-off area where they will take an ART at a temporary swabbing centre. If travellers test positive for Covid-19, they will have to take a confirmatory PCR test at the centre. Those whose PCR test is positive will be placed on a 10-day isolation order and go through the home recovery programme. While announcing details of the land VTL last Wednesday, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said that the daily quota of travellers allowed to cross the Causeway under the travel arrangement will be reviewed on a weekly basis. The authorities are studying whether train journeys can be part of the land VTL scheme, but it will take some time before private vehicles are allowed under the land VTL, and there would need to be a booking or registration system in place so that the authorities can track the number of travellers crossing the border. In a statement last Wednesday, the Prime Minister's Office said both countries will take into account the public health situation and will aim to progressively expand the VTL to include general travellers, as well as to restore travel through the Tuas Second Link. More on this topic   Related Story S'pore-Malaysia VTL: First bus arrives in Queen St with 3 passengers after delay   Related Story As S'pore-Malaysia land VTL takes off, Johor business operators hopeful for future

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Football: Man City take top spot, PSG through despite defeat in Champions League

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Manchester City came from behind to secure top spot in Group A with a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain as both sides qualified for the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappe put the French giants in front against the run of play five minutes into the second half. But PSG run the risk of being drawn against the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea or Liverpool in the last 16 after Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus turned the game around for the English champions. PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino had to fend off questions in his pre-match press conference over whether he may be making a permanent move to Manchester to take over the vacant managerial role at United. The Argentine's first year in the French capital has been far from plain sailing despite a 11-point lead at the top of Ligue 1. Lionel Messi's arrival to form a fearsome front three alongside Mbappe and Neymar has heaped expectation upon Pochettino to deliver a first Champions League crown to Paris. The blessing and curse of that richly-talented trio was in evidence as the visitors were largely overrun but suddenly clicked to create the opening goal. City's collective cohesion had the better of the clash of styles, but lacked the clinical edge offered by PSG's Galacticos. Presnel Kimpembe cleared Rodri's goal-bound header off the line before Achraf Hakimi did likewise to turn Riyad Mahrez's shot that was destined for the top corner over the bar. Despite missing the midfield trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, City were still creating chances at will as Messi, Neymar and Mbappe did little to help their teammates defend. Ilkay Gundogan had the hosts' best chance before the break, but his curling effort came crashing back off the post. Mbappe wasted the one opportunity PSG did muster in the first half as he pounced on a John Stones mistake, but fired over. The Frenchman was not so wasteful five minutes after the break as he drilled low through Ederson's legs from Messi's deflected cross. But the pattern of the game remained unchanged as City charged forward and finally found a way through. Kyle Walker's cross escaped Jesus, but rolled kindly for Sterling to prod in just his fourth goal of the season at the back post. Keylor Navas then produced a stunning finger-tip save to deny Jesus. Pochettino responded by introducing Angel Di Maria to add to his attacking trident and he teed up Neymar with a great chance to restore PSG's lead, only for the Brazilian to slot wide with just his international teammate Ederson to beat. Moments later another slick team move from City created a deserved winner. Mahrez's cross to the back post picked out Bernardo Silva, who nonchalantly turned the ball back into the path of Jesus to calmly slot home. Victory gives City an unassailable four-point lead at the top of the section with just one game to go. But RB Leipzig's 5-0 thrashing of Club Brugge means PSG are also guaranteed to go through in second place.

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askST: What is a valid pre-departure ART and how can I book one overseas?

SINGAPORE - As of 11.59pm on Thursday (Nov 11), most travellers can take an antigen rapid test (ART) performed by a trained professional overseas before flying into Singapore. This applies to those returning via the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) and from countries in Categories II and III, which include Australia, Britain and the United States. Previously, all travellers, except those aged two and below, had to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to return and test negative within 48 hours before departure. Travellers now have a longer window to take the tests as a pre-departure test taken any time on Nov 12, for instance, can be valid until 11.59pm on Nov 14. Here is what you need to know about the new measures and how to book an ART overseas. Q: What is a pre-departure Covid-19 test? Do I need to take a test before leaving Singapore and upon arrival? A: The pre-departure Covid-19 test refers to the test travellers take so that they can present results to airline staff at overseas airports before returning to Singapore. As for the test Singapore residents must undergo for most destinations before leaving the Republic, it is recommended that they check the websites of the immigration authorities or embassies of the destination country beforehand. Travellers can also consult Sherpa - a travel data aggregator that provides information on the destination country's restrictions, and requirements for visa application and additional documents. More information can be found at the Sherpa website. Under the VTL, not all countries require travellers from Singapore to take a PCR test before they can enter. For instance, France and Britain do not require one for vaccinated travellers, but others such as the Netherlands, which reclassified Singapore from a low-risk to a very high-risk country on Thursday, will require testing. When Singapore residents return to the Republic, they still have to undergo an on-arrival PCR at Changi Airport or an exit PCR test after serving their stay-home notice, depending on which country they return from. Q: Why is the Government allowing us to take ART now for those countries? A: The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Monday (Nov 8) that changes in border measures are aligned with the Covid-19 testing protocols in place in Singapore. Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at the National University Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases, said that as global travel resumes, requiring all those returning to take a PCR test will be increasingly challenging in terms of logistical arrangements. Prof Fisher, who is also chair of the World Health Organisation's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, said: "In 2019, Changi Airport served 68.3 million passengers, which (averages out to) 187,000 per day. Other airports, which have similar volume, may not have the infrastructure to support so many PCR tests. "Imposing such a test will mean taking away time from GPs or trained professionals and putting more demand on Covid-19 laboratories than they can handle." More on this topic   Related Story S'pore eases Covid-19 rules from Nov 10: What you need to know   Related Story askST: What is the electronic SG Arrival Card and who has to submit it? Q: In what form must my pre-departure ART result take? A: According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the test must be taken within two days before departure at an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory, clinic, or medical facility. The result certificate must be in English and contain the date and time of when the Covid-19 test was taken. It must also bear the name of the testing institution conducting the Covid-19 test. The pre-departure ART must be taken within two days before departure at an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory, clinic, or medical facility. PHOTO: AFP Self-administered ARTs are not allowed. In some countries, medical providers will issue ART results via e-mail, while others, such as Denmark, have a centralised website where test results can be downloaded or printed.  The Straits Times understands that airports generally accept both printed and digital results. In response to queries from ST, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said its website and mobile app have been enhanced to verify digital health credentials and perform entry rule checks. SIA said: "Customers can generate their own boarding passes through these channels if no other travel documents are required, eliminating the need for physical verification at airports." More on this topic   Related Story Travel to and from S'pore without quarantine: How the Vaccinated Travel Lane works   Related Story Demand rises for Covid-19 pre-departure tests as S'pore opens up more VTLs Q: Where can I take a pre-departure ART? A: MOH has a list of clinics for travel from countries such as Malaysia and South Korea. Both have VTL arrangements with Singapore which will start later this month. For travellers who prefer visiting a familiar clinic, Fullerton Health said that corporate clients registered under its Fullerton One programme can visit any of its clinics in five Asian markets, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Hong Kong, while travelling overseas. A Raffles Medical Group spokesman told ST that customers can visit its clinics in Vietnam, where antigen rapid tests are allowed for pre-departure and are certified. With a wider testing window, it is also not necessary to take the ART at the airport, although you can do so at some locations such as Heathrow Airport in Britain and Los Angeles International Airport in the United States. It is possible to take a test at some attractions such as Disneyland Paris and the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. More on this topic   Related Story Returning S'poreans, PRs and pass holders vaccinated overseas encouraged to upload certificate   Related Story 6 things to know for quarantine-free travel under VTL Q: Should I engage a travel booking company to arrange a test? A: With the Covid-19 situation constantly changing, travel agencies may be able to advise customers on the different requirements of various countries. For instance, although Singapore accepts a pre-departure ART, countries such as South Korea and Australia still require a PCR test. Booking platform Klook said its listings include information about the opening hours of the service provider and the expected time taken for the ART or PCR results. Mr Aaron Wong, 33, who runs travel website The MileLion, said the waiting time for such tests can fluctuate greatly. While visiting Munich, Germany, via the VTL on two occasions, he waited five minutes in line the first time but had to wait for 90 minutes on his second trip. Mr Steven Ler, executive director of UOB Travel Planners, said: "Buying a pre-departure test as part of a bundle makes it easier for employees going on a work trip. "It saves them the hassle of having to submit receipts to their company for reimbursement. And this will also greatly benefit leisure travellers who prefer a coordinated arrangement. " More on this topic   Related Story Over 36,000 passes issued to non-residents to enter S'pore under vaccinated travel lanes   Related Story Travellers may face tighter curbs in Europe with S'pore taken off EU list   Related Stories:  Related Story Singapore, Malaysia to start VTLs for quarantine-free air travel from Nov 29 Related Story S'pore eases Covid-19 rules from Nov 10: What you need to know Related Story Increasing ICU beds for Covid-19 patients may lead to poorer care for others Related Story Why do more men die of Covid-19? Related Story China ramps up Covid-19 controls, warns of severe situation as winter sets in Related Story How does Merck's Covid-19 pill compare with Pfizer's? Related Story Oxford scientists find gene that doubles risk of dying from Covid-19 Related Story What you need to know about the new Covid-19 Delta Plus variant AY.4.2 Related Story What scientists know about the risk of breakthrough Covid-19 deaths Related Story What the future holds for the coronavirus and us

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Football: Portugal close in on World Cup after goalless draw in Ireland

DUBLIN (REUTERS) - Portugal moved closer to automatic World Cup qualification on Thursday (Nov 11) despite a poor 0-0 draw with Ireland that left them needing another point in their final game at home to Group A rivals Serbia to secure their spot in Qatar. Portugal narrowly avoided a shock loss to Ireland two months ago thanks to two last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo goals and seemed happy to take a point against the fourth-placed Irish knowing a superior goal difference to Serbia put them in the driving seat. They will have to do it without Pepe, however, after the experienced central defender was sent off late on for a second bookable offence. Ireland's performance in Faro marked a turning-point in Stephen Kenny's up-and-down 14-month reign and the manager will take further encouragement from his side's draw, threatened only when Ronaldo headed the best chance of the game narrowly wide after 67 minutes.

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Formula One: Vettel to take grid penalty for US grand prix after engine change

AUSTIN, TEXAS (REUTERS) - Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel will take a grid penalty at the US Grand Prix after exceeding his engine allocation for the season. The four-times Formula One world champion, a winner at Austin's Circuit of the Americas with Red Bull in 2013, has been struggling to score points recently with only one top-10 result in the last nine races. "I think we are heading into, let's say, a difficult weekend," the German told reporters. "We are changing the engine and therefore we will have a penalty. "We will see what we can do from where we start, and nevertheless, looking forward I think we can be strong here. How strong? We will see." Drivers are allowed three engines to last the season and any more than that triggers a grid drop. How many places depends on how many components of the power unit are changed. Aston Martin use the same engines as champions Mercedes, whose seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton took a 10-place grid drop for the same reason at the previous race in Turkey. The Circuit of the Americas offers at least plenty of overtaking opportunities. "I think it's a good place to do it (take the penalty) and hopefully we'll have an entertaining Sunday afternoon and get back in the mix," said Vettel. More on this topic   Related Story Formula One: Verstappen seeks Texan triumph to extend lead over Hamilton   Related Story Formula One: Hamilton cheerful but realistic ahead of US grand prix test

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Covid-19 testing regimes in Singapore explained

Regular self-testing has been introduced across various sectors as Singapore moves towards living with the coronavirus in the stabilisation phase. Here is what you need to know.  Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) rostered routine testing (RRT) What it is - Regular PCR test, once every seven days or 14 days. - Under the vaccinate or regular test (VoRT) regime, unvaccinated workers on the seven-day PCR rostered routine testing will have to take one additional antigen rapid test (ART) per week. - Those on 14-day PCR rostered routine testing will have to take three additional ARTs every two weeks. Examples of sectors - Covid-19 front-line workers, border front-line workers, construction, marine and process workers, workers living in dormitories. Where can you take a test? - PCR tests are taken at regional swab centres. - ARTs are self-administered, but must be supervised by another trained staff member, or at quick test centres (QTCs) for freelancers or small businesses. Fast & easy testing RRT What it is - Regular ART, once every seven days. -Under the VoRT regime, unvaccinated workers will have to take one additional ART per week. Examples of sectors - Staff working in higher-risk mask-off settings, or have prolonged close contact with customers, or have frequent interactions with the community. These include workers in food and beverage establishments, retail malls, personal care services, supermarkets and last-mile deliveries. - Staff working in healthcare, eldercare and settings with children aged 12 years and below Where can you take a test? - ARTs are self-administered, but must be supervised by another trained staff member, or at QTCs for freelancers or small businesses More on this topic   Related Story More than 1.2 million ART kits set aside for public officers for 8-week rostered routine testing   Related Story $15 antigen rapid testing available at 25 quick test centres islandwide Voluntary time-limited eight-week RRT What it is - Any company that has employees who work on-site and are not already subject to other mandatory testing regimes. Examples of sectors - Any company can apply Where can you take a test? - Workers can take the ARTs at their own convenience. Note: Information accurate as at Oct 3. Source: Ministry Of Health  More on this topic   Related Story What you need to do if you test positive for Covid-19 using ART kit and have no symptoms   Related Story Covid-19 self-test kits: ST checks out 5 to see which is the easiest to use

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PSLE candidates in quarantine need to inform school by 12pm, take daily ARTs at 6pm

SINGAPORE - Quarantined pupils who wish to take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) this year will need to inform the school by 12pm on the day they receive a quarantine order. They will also need to complete a daily antigen rapid test (ART) at 6pm on the day before each paper. These were among more detailed rules provided in a circular issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE) ahead of the first PSLE written paper on Thursday (Sept 30). On Sunday, the ministry and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board announced new rules allowing quarantined students and those on approved absence to sit their national examinations. It said then that those on quarantine have to test negative for Covid-19 with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at the start of the quarantine order, and complete a self-swab with ART kits at home and test negative within 24 hours before each examination paper. The circular on Tuesday added that quarantined pupils must wait at home for Certis officers to arrive to administer their entry PCR test. The circular noted that a PCR test takes at least 24 hours to be processed such that the earliest a child will be able to sit the PSLE exam is two days after the day of notification. This means that if a paper is scheduled the day after pupils receive a quarantine order, they will not be able to sit the specific paper but can apply for special consideration through the school. Under special consideration, a candidate will be awarded a projected grade for a particular paper that takes into consideration multiple sources of data, such as the candidate's performance in other papers for that subject and the school cohort's performance in national and school-based exams. The Certis officer will also provide ART kits for candidates to conduct daily ARTs while waiting for their entry PCR test results, said the circular. They will be notified about these results via online portal and app HealthHub or SMS. If the entry PCR test is negative, a child has to take an ART that evening before the paper and photograph the negative ART result. On the day of the paper, the circular said that a pupil will need to show the negative PCR test and a photograph of the ART result to sit the PSLE paper. He has to continue doing ARTs the day before his remaining papers. More on this topic   Related Story Students in quarantine or on approved Covid-19 absence may still take national exams: MOE   Related Story Parents welcome move to allow students in quarantine to take national exams The circular added that quarantined parents may accompany their child to school after satisfying the same requirements. It reiterated that candidates have to travel directly to the exam venue by private transport or on foot, with no stops in between. Those who are positive for Covid-19 or on stay-home notice are still not allowed to sit exams this year. More on this topic   Related Story Parents anxious over rise in Covid-19 cases among children but attendance normal at pre-schools, tuition centres   Related Story What to do if you have tested positive for Covid-19: 10 important steps

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Students in quarantine or on approved Covid-19 absence may still take national exams: MOE

SINGAPORE - Quarantined students are allowed to take their national examinations this year if they wish to, subject to stringent criteria, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) in a statement on Sunday (Sept 26). They have to test negative for Covid-19 with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at the start of the quarantine order, and complete a self-swab with antigen rapid test (ART) kits at home and test negative within 24 hours before each examination paper. Travel arrangements to their exam venue must be by private transport or on foot, with no stops between their place of residence and exam venue. The schools have to be informed that they are taking the particular paper so the exam venue can be prepared. Other measures include: The rooms used for quarantined candidates will be separate from the rest of the cohort and will be thoroughly wiped down after the exams.   The students will be seated 3m apart in exam-style seating and have designated entry and exit points and restrooms.   They will start the exams 30 minutes after the scheduled start time for the rest of the cohort. These measures will ensure the safety of candidates and invigilators, MOE said. The arrangements are different from last year's restrictions, which did not allow candidates in quarantine to sit exams. The changes apply to the Primary School Leaving Examination as well as the N-, O- and A-level exams. Those who are positive for Covid-19 or on stay-home notice are still not allowed to sit exams this year. If a quarantined PSLE candidate needs to be accompanied to the exam venue, an accompanying family member or caregiver, if also in quarantine, is subjected to the same restrictions as the student. Those on approved absence due to mandatory testing by the Ministry of Health or who are under health risk warnings are also allowed to sit the exams if the PCR test at the start of the absence was negative and their regular ART self-swabs are negative. Those on leave of absence are also allowed if supervised ART tests, done in regular intervals, are negative. More on this topic   Related Story HBL for primary schools until Oct 7; tuition to move online   Related Story Parents anxious over rise in Covid-19 cases among children but attendance normal at pre-schools, tuition centres How grades will be derived MOE and SEAB said that similar to previous years, candidates who miss national exams with valid reasons such as Covid-19 can apply for special consideration. They will be awarded projected grades that take into consideration multiple sources of data, such as the candidate's performance in other papers for that subject and the school cohort's performance, in national and school-based exams. If the student misses all the components of the subject's exam, such as the PSLE mathematics paper, the SEAB will take into consideration the student's school preliminary examination results for the subject to determine his relative rank among peers in his school cohort. This position will then be used to derive his projected mark from the school cohort's performance in the PSLE, based on the mark that corresponds to this relative rank. The mark will then be used to derive the final score. If a candidate misses one or more papers of a subject, the SEAB will look at the student's performance in the papers he has taken to derive a projected outcome for the subject, and also take into consideration the student's performance in the school preliminary exams. MOE said it will provide details of the requirements and application procedure at a later date. See the arrangements for affected candidates here.

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Formula One: No plans to take engine penalty at Monza, says Verstappen

MONZA, ITALY (REUTERS) - Formula One world championship leader Max Verstappen calmed fears he might have to take an engine penalty for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix. "We haven't really decided yet where to take it," the Red Bull driver told reporters at Monza on Thursday (Sept 9) when asked about a likely grid drop. "This engine is still very new, so we'll see. It's definitely not the plan yet to take it here." The Dutch 23-year-old damaged one of his allotted three engines in a crash at Silverstone in July after colliding with Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton and is expected to have to use a fourth before the end of the season. That would bring an automatic 10-place drop. High-speed Monza is generally a good place to take such a hit, with plenty of slipstreaming and overtaking, but Red Bull have struggled against Mercedes there in recent years. This weekend is also being run to a new format with a Saturday sprint qualifying race that also brings bonus points for the top three. Verstappen is three points clear of Hamilton after winning his home race at Zandvoort last weekend, his seventh victory in 13 races. He said his car would be more competitive at Monza than previous years but warned that might not be enough at a track where Mercedes have won five of the last seven races, albeit not the most recent two. "I'm not sure if it's going to be enough to fight them," said Verstappen. "Nevertheless, this weekend with sprint qualifying and stuff, it's going to be very different so I just hope that, yeah, we did our homework before getting here and we can be very competitive. It's a bit difficult to say where we will stand. "I definitely don't expect it to be like Zandvoort." More on this topic   Related Story Formula One: Russell has nothing to lose at Mercedes, says Hamilton   Related Story Formula One: Raikkonen to miss Italian GP after positive Covid-19 test

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Changes to testing arrangements for students taking national year-end exams: MOE, SEAB

SINGAPORE - Students who have been placed on leave of absence (LOA) after coming into close contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases will now be allowed to take national examinations if they test negative for the virus in antigen rapid tests (ARTs). This is provided they are not awaiting a quarantine order. They will also have to take the ART at their school or examination venue every two days until their LOA is rescinded. These updated arrangements will allow as many students as possible to take their exam papers while keeping candidates and staff safe, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) said in a joint statement on Saturday (Aug 28). The national year-end written examinations for key subjects will start on Sept 15, starting with the GCE N levels and ending with the GCE A levels. Those who are placed on LOA because they are staying with individuals who have been given a quarantine order or are under a stay-home notice will be allowed to take their papers if their ART is negative. Likewise, they will also have to undergo testing at regular intervals. Those on approved absence because they are staying in the same household with members aged six and above who have flu-like symptoms with pending polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results will be allowed to take the examinations if a one-time ART is negative. MOE and SEAB said: "They can do a self-swab with ART kits at home and inform their schools of the outcome before their examination. For candidates on (approved absence) due to being placed on the Ministry of Health's (MOH) mandatory testing regime or Health Risk Warning alert, they must complete their MOH-mandated entry PCR test and test negative before they can sit their examinations." Unlike PCR tests, which take up to 48 hours, the ART has a quick turnaround time of 30 minutes. The statement added that pupils taking their Primary School Leaving Examinations, in view of their younger age, should be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can help administer the test if they are required to undergo any ART at their school or examination venue. Alternatively, parents or guardians may give consent for the pupils to undergo a supervised self-administered ART in their school or examination venue. MOE and SEAB added that those who miss the national examinations with valid reasons can apply for special consideration, and SEAB will consider multiple sources of evidence, such as the candidate's performance in the other papers and the school cohort's performance in national and school-based examinations for the affected subject, when awarding a grade for these affected candidates. Safe management measures will also continue to be implemented at schools and examination venues, such as temperature taking and the wearing of masks. More on this topic   Related Story Lighter load for national and year-end school exams to help ease stress: Chan Chun Sing   Related Story Get exam-ready: Mental preparation as important as studying

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