Written by Dr Seah, a locum doctor who built Locum Radar for other locum healthcare professionals. Last updated 21 October 2026.
Public holidays are when patients still fall ill and many regular doctors want time off. Before Chinese New Year 2026, the Ministry of Health said 1,095 GP clinics would be open at various times between 16 and 18 February, and it pointed the public to GP and 24-hour clinics for minor conditions. If your clinic plans to open on a holiday, book your locum early, because the dates are fixed and everyone is looking for cover at once.
Which public holidays are coming up?
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Deepavali 2026 (falls on a Sunday) | Sunday 8 Nov, with Monday 9 Nov as the public holiday |
| Christmas Day 2026 | Friday 25 Dec |
| New Year’s Day 2027 | Friday 1 Jan |
| Chinese New Year 2027 | Saturday 6 Feb and Sunday 7 Feb, with Monday 8 Feb as the holiday |
| Hari Raya Puasa 2027 | Wednesday 10 Mar |
| Good Friday 2027 | Friday 26 Mar |
| Labour Day 2027 | Saturday 1 May |
| Hari Raya Haji 2027 | Monday 17 May |
| Vesak Day 2027 | Thursday 20 May |
| National Day 2027 | Monday 9 Aug |
| Deepavali 2027 | Thursday 28 Oct |
| Christmas Day 2027 | Saturday 25 Dec |
The 2027 dates come from the government gazette. The 2026 Deepavali date follows the Ministry of Manpower’s list, where a holiday that falls on a Sunday moves to the following Monday. Check the Ministry of Manpower site for any later change.
When should a clinic book holiday locum cover?
There is no official rule, so treat this as our rule of thumb: start four to six weeks ahead for a long weekend, and earlier for Chinese New Year. Locums fill their own holiday plans early. Posting early also gives you time to find a replacement if someone cancels. If you are caught short, see how to find a locum doctor in Singapore.
What should you confirm before the holiday?
- Opening hours: decide them first, then tell the locum the exact start and end time.
- Your public listing: the Ministry of Health directs patients to GPGoWhere to find open clinics, so make sure your hours there are right.
- Expected patient load: holiday sessions can be busy or very quiet. Be honest, since locums compare what you advertise with what they see.
- Rate and payment date: state the rate in the post. Public holiday sessions usually pay a premium and are left out of our published rate figures, so do not use the ordinary median as your offer. See locum doctor rates in Singapore.
- Clinic staff: confirm your nurse and clinic assistant are rostered for the same hours.
- Supplies and referrals: check stock of common medications, and note which hospitals and labs are open for referrals.
What should locums ask about holiday sessions?
- Is the rate a holiday rate, and is it written down?
- How many patients does the clinic expect, and who else is on?
- What happens if the session ends early or runs late?
The full list is in What to Ask Before You Accept a Locum Session.
Frequently asked questions
Do GP clinics have to open on public holidays? No. Many GP clinics do open, and 1,095 did during Chinese New Year 2026, but whether yours opens is your decision.
Do locums charge more on public holidays? They usually ask for a premium. The amount is agreed between the locum and the clinic.
Where do patients find open clinics on holidays? The Ministry of Health points the public to the GPGoWhere website and to the NurseFirst helpline for advice on where to go.
How early should I post a Chinese New Year session? As early as you know your opening hours. Chinese New Year 2027 starts on Saturday 6 February.
Clinic looking for cover? WhatsApp us on +65 8023 5014 or email locumradar@gmail.com. Locum looking for sessions? Open @locumradar_bot on Telegram.