Singapore has said it will stop paying the Covid medical bills for its citizens who are “unvaccinated by choice”.

The government said most of those needing intensive care in hospital at the moment had not been jabbed against Covid.

As of Monday, 86pc of Singapore’s population were fully vaccinated, while 85pc had received one dose, according to official figures.

The government said it has been funding Covid healthcare costs for Singapore nationals, permanent residents and long-term pass holders “to avoid financial considerations adding to public uncertainty and concern when Covid-19 was an emergent and unfamiliar disease”.

The policy will continue for those who are vaccinated – or ineligible for vaccination – until the Covid situation “is more stable”.

“Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources,” its statement said.

Those unvaccinated by choice will start having to pay for their own Covid healthcare costs from December 8. (©Independent News Service)