Page History

26.08.2020

Changes to SHN for travellers from Republic of Korea

From 29 August 2020, 0000 hours, travellers entering Singapore who have recent travel history, including transit, to the Republic of Korea, within the last 14 days will be required to serve a 14 day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities instead of their own place of residence.

Travellers will also need to undergo a COVID-19 test before the end of their SHN, as is the current requirement.

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21.08.2020

Updates to border measures for low-risk countries from 1 Sep onwards

For travellers entering Singapore and who have remained in either Brunei Darussalam or New Zealand in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry:

• Apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) between 7 and 30 days before their intended date of entry into Singapore
• Are not required to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN)
• Undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and continue their activities in Singapore if the test is negative

For travellers from other low-risk countries, such as Australia (excluding Victoria State), Macao, Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia:

• The SHN duration will be shortened from 14 days to 7 days
• Travellers will be allowed to serve their SHN at their place of residence, and undergo a COVID-19 test at the end of their SHN

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17.07.2020

Changes to SHN for travellers from some countries/regions

On 15 June 2020, the Government announced changes to border measures as we progressively re-open to international travel. These border measures take into account the current understanding of COVID-19, as well as the developments in other countries and regions.

No need to serve Stay-Home Notice at SHN facilities for travellers from some countries/regions

Since 21 March 2020, all incoming travellers – including Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long Term Pass holders – have been required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

From 17 June 2020, 2359 hours, all travellers entering Singapore and who had remained in the following countries/regions in the last consecutive 14 days prior to entry, will no longer have to serve their SHN at dedicated SHN facilities:

• Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence
  
  
• Long Term Pass holders may serve their 14-day SHN at a place of residence that they or their family members own or are sole tenants of; or in suitable accommodation such as a hotel (at their own cost)
  

* Given the resurgence of cases in Victoria (Australia), Hong Kong, and Japan, travellers entering Singapore after 19 July 2020, 2359 hours, who have recent travel history, including transit, to these regions within the last 14 days will be required to serve their SHN at dedicated SHN facilities instead of their own place of residence. They will also need to undergo a COVID-19 test before they end their SHN as is the current requirement.

All other travellers entering Singapore will continue to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.

All persons under SHN must remain in their place of residence at all times. They will be subject to close monitoring of their whereabouts, through electronic monitoring as well as physical spot-checks. Strict enforcement action will be taken against those who breach the requirements of the SHN.

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15.06.2020

COVID-19 testing for all incoming travellers

From 17 June 2020, 2359 hours, all incoming travellers entering Singapore will be tested for COVID-19. This is an additional precautionary measure to detect the virus, especially given the risks of asymptomatic cases.

The test will be scheduled a few days before the end of the SHN period, at a designated community testing facility. Each person under SHN will receive an SMS notification informing them of the scheduled appointment slot and venue.

We will not automatically swab all persons who are aged 12 or younger before the end of their SHN, as we recognise that the tests could pose difficulties for young children. However, if any of their close contacts are found to be positive, we will initiate the swab tests for them.

Persons on SHN may only leave their residence for the scheduled COVID-19 test appointment at the designated testing facility. They will have to travel from their place of residence to the designated testing facilities, and return immediately after the test, using their own private vehicle or pre-booked taxi. Public transport should be avoided.

If you use a taxi, you should only book one from the list of contact numbers provided:

Please identify yourself as a person subject to a Stay-Home Notice when making the booking and when boarding the vehicle.

When travelling in the taxi, you should sit alone in the back seat, with windows down and the air-conditioning turned off. Public transport should be avoided.
Travellers to bear costs of COVID-19 tests and stay at Dedicated SHN Facilities

The Government has thus far borne the costs of stay at dedicated SHN facilities for travellers entering Singapore, except for those who left Singapore from 27 March 2020, despite the prevailing travel advisory. The Government has also borne the costs of the large majority of COVID-19 tests.

As we re-open our borders to more international travel, those who enter Singapore would have to bear the costs of fulfilling these requirements, as part of the cost of travel in a COVID-19 world.

From 17 June 2020, 2359 hours, all inbound and outbound travellers who enter or leave Singapore will be required to pay for their COVID-19 tests, where applicable. We recognise that there may be Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who had left Singapore before the prevailing travel advisory was issued on 27 March 2020, and who may be returning in the near future. For such cases, we will allow a grace period, and if they return and enter Singapore by 31 August 2020, we will waive the cost of the COVID-19 tests.

However, all travellers, including Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, who last left Singapore from 27 March 2020 despite the prevailing travel advisory, will have to continue to bear the costs of their stay at dedicated SHN facilities where applicable, as well as the cost of their COVID-19 tests.

 From 17 June 2020, 2359 hours, all incoming travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents will be required to pay for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities, where applicable.

The prevailing charges are summarised below:

^{^} These are the charges that will apply for the COVID-19 test before the end of the SHN, which will be carried out at a designated community testing facility

Summary of border measures and COVID-19 tests

* Long Term Pass holders who were granted entry approval prior to this announcement may serve their SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and will not be charged for their COVID-19 test before the end of their SHN nor for their stay in dedicated SHN facilities.
^@ As of 15 June 2020, this comprises the Singapore-China Fast Lane.
^# Short-term visitors granted special prior approval to enter Singapore (except under established Green / Fast Lane arrangements) are subject to the same treatment with regard to SHN and test requirements, and charges, as Long Term Pass holders.

 Updated Travel Advisory for Singaporeans

All Singaporeans and residents of Singapore are still advised to defer all travel abroad. All travellers who left Singapore from 27 March 2020 despite the prevailing travel advisory, and travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents are required to pay for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities.

However, essential business and official travel will be permitted under Green / Fast Lane arrangements – as of 15 June 2020, this comprises the Singapore-China Fast Lane.

Singapore and Malaysia are working towards the targeted implementation of the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) from 10 August 2020. The RGL will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries. The PCA will allow Singapore and Malaysia residents, who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other countries, to enter that country for work. Eligible travellers will have to abide by the prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries. The requirements, health protocols and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore will be published 10 days prior to the implementation of the RGL and PCA. More information on the two schemes can be found here.

Travel Advisory for Long Term Pass holders and Short-term Visitors

All Long Term Pass holders will continue to require prior approval before entering Singapore - except for those returning under the Singapore-China Fast Lane arrangements, as separate arrangements would have been put in place for this group.

As the global and local health situations improve, the Government has gradually increased the number of entry approvals given to Long Term Pass holders, especially those with deep roots to Singapore or have exigent circumstances. We expect to be able to facilitate the re-entry of more Long Term Pass holders in the coming weeks. We will also study how to facilitate business travels, in particular for professionals based in Singapore who need to travel frequently as part of their work, with the necessary safeguards.

At the moment, short-term visitors are still not allowed entry into Singapore, except those coming in under the Green / Fast Lane arrangements, or with special prior approval.

As the global situation evolves, we will continue to update our border measures. Travellers planning to enter Singapore should be prepared to be subjected to the prevailing border measures upon entry, including payment for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities where applicable. Travellers are advised to check the MOH website for the latest updates.

Source: https://www.gov.sg/article/updates-to-border-measures-for-travellers-entering-singapore

03.04.2020

Strategic level

 Taking guidance from Singapore’s Multi-Ministry Taskforce on COVID-19,
which coordinates and implements Singapore’s measures to tackle COVID19.

 Ensuring that we keep our global supply chain strong and undisrupted as we
continue to facilitate the movement of goods, including essential supplies.

Operational level

 Use of technology to minimize face-to-face meetings (e.g. conducting
meetings and discussions through video conferences)

 Encouraging officers to practise social distancing (e.g. greater spacing of
seats where practicable, limiting the size and duration of meetings)

 Adopting split team arrangements to minimize cross-contact among staff,which is part of our business continuity planning

 Encouraging good personal hygiene practices (e.g. notices put up to remind
staff to practise good personal hygiene)

 Monitoring of officers’ body temperature twice a day

 Deferring all non-essential travel abroad to minimise risk levels

 Encouraging the use of e-services

Further information: http://www.wcoomd.org/-/m.........ral-disaster/covid_19/singapore_en.pdf?la=en

Forthcoming