The legal framework governing HIV in Singapore is set out in the Infectious Disease Act, which relates to the quarantine and prevention of infectious diseases, originally enacted in 1976 and last amended in March 2025. It encompasses five areas of concern regarding people living with HIV in Singapore: counseling requirements, sexual activity, blood donation, protection of identity, and disclosure of status.
Each subheader in this section contains a link to its relevant section as listed on the Singapore Statues Online website. Further legislative information can be accessed through these links.
s 6 Notification of prescribed infectious diseases
Medical practitioners and laboratories are required to inform MOH of new HIV diagnoses.
Anonymous testing sites, including AfA’s Anonymous Testing Service and Mobile Testing Service, do not collect any identifying information and are exempted from this requirement. If someone who tests positive at an anonymous testing site chooses to seek treatment locally, MOH will be notified by the treatment site.
s 22 Person with HIV infection to undergo counselling, etc.
MOH may require people living with HIV to undergo counselling and comply with specified precautions or safety measures.
s 23 Sexual activity by person with HIV infection
As of 9 Apr 2024, people living with HIV who have undetectable viral loads (<200 copies/ml of blood) are not required to disclose their HIV status to their sexual partners provided they have:
- At least 2 tests from a licensed laboratory showing an undetectable viral load, where:
- The most recent test was no more than 9 months ago, and
- The preceding test was at least 6 months before the most recent test.
(UVL, or Undetectable Viral Load, is defined has below 200 copies of HIV per ml of blood)
The 6-9 month window coincides with the usual frequency of HIV treatment appointments in Singapore to monitor treatment adherence and viral load, so people living with HIV should not need to keep additional track of these requirements.
People living with HIV who have detectable viral loads may not engage in sexual activity (defined as vaginal, anal or oral sex) unless:
- They inform their partner of the risk of HIV transmission, and
- Their partner voluntarily accepts that risk.
People who suspect they have HIV or have been exposed to HIV may not engage in sexual activity unless:
- They inform their partner of the risk of HIV transmission,
- Their partner voluntarily accepts that risk,
- They get a negative HIV test result prior to the sexual activity, and
- They take precautions to ensure that they do not potentially expose their partner to HIV.
s 24 Blood donation and other acts by person with HIV infection
People living with HIV may not donate blood or do any act which is likely to transmit HIV to another person.
s 25 Protection of identity of person with HIV infection or other sexually transmitted disease
Any person exercising their functions/duties under the IDA (e.g. medical practitioners, healthcare workers, government authorities) may not disclose someone’s HIV/STI status except:
- With the consent of that person
- Where necessary for the administration of the IDA, Immigration Act and Criminal Procedure Code s 22/424
- Where ordered to do so by a court
- To medical professionals providing treatment to that person
- To blood, organ, semen or breastmilk banks that that person has or plans to donate to
- To a victim of a sexual assault by that person
- To the next-of-kin of that person upon their death
- For statistical reports/epidemiological purposes (anonymised data only)
- In any other context determined by MOH to be appropriate
s 25A Disclosure by Director-General of Health, medical practitioner and recipient of information
MOH may disclose someone’s HIV status to a healthcare worker or first responder who may have been exposed to HIV infection.
A medical practitioner may disclose someone’s HIV status to that person’s spouse, ex-spouse or other contacts provided that:
- there is a significant risk of infection,
- they have counselled the person living with HIV about the need to notify these contacts but believe the person will not do so, and
- they have informed the person living with HIV that they intend to notify these contacts.
If the medical practitioner is unable to counsel or inform the person living with HIV, they may apply to MOH to waive the last two requirements.
After being informed by the medical practitioner, the contacts may not further disclose the person’s HIV status to other people.
Note that s 25/25A do not apply to non-official contexts. E.g. if a person living with HIV voluntarily shares their status with a friend or family member, and that person goes on to disclose their status to another person without their consent, this would not be an offence under the IDA.
Immigration Act 1959
People living with HIV are classified as “prohibited immigrants”.
HIV testing is usually required for foreigners wishing to live or work in Singapore, and those who test positive will not be given an entry pass (e.g. Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student’s Pass). HIV testing may also be required when renewing existing passes, and those who test positive may be deported from Singapore.
As of 1 Apr 2015, there is no ban on tourists and other short-term visitors with HIV visiting Singapore (for stays up to 90 days).
If you require further clarification or info about this matter, you may send your query to [email protected]
