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SINGAPORE – Singapore has tightened its border restrictions in response to new variants of the virus and the worsening situation of the global pandemic.
All travelers, including Singapore citizens and permanent residents, will be required to undergo a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test when they arrive in Singapore.
This will take effect from January 24 at 11:59 p.m., the Ministry of Health (MINSA) said on Saturday (January 16).
Home stay notification requirements, including end-of-stay PCR testing, will remain in effect.
Short-term visitors will also need travel insurance to cover the costs of their medical treatment in Singapore, if they are suspected of carrying the virus.
Those applying to enter Singapore with the air travel pass and reciprocal green lane agreements will be required to have a minimum coverage of $ 30,000 for their hospitalization and medical treatment costs related to Covid-19 in Singapore, effective January 31 to 11:59 pm
Currently, these short-term visitors must bear the full cost of medical treatment, if they are suspected of having Covid-19 or if they need medical treatment for the virus while in Singapore.
As an added precaution, all returning Singapore citizens and PRs from Great Britain and South Africa will be subject to an additional seven-day self-isolation at their place of residence, following their 14-day SHN at specialized facilities.
This will go into effect on January 18 at 11:59 p.m.
They will be assessed at the end of their SHN and again after they have completed their seven-day self-isolation period.
These new restrictions come amid warnings from US federal health officials that a much more contagious variant of the coronavirus first identified in Britain could become the dominant source of infection in the United States in March.
This is likely to lead to an increase in cases and deaths, according to a forecast from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cases also continue to rise around the world, with new variants detected in several countries such as Brazil and South Africa, even as the global death toll reached two million this weekend.
The Health Ministry said: “As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures to manage the risk of importation and transmission to the community.
“The Ministry of Health will also continue to review data and evidence on any new viral strains and update measures accordingly.”
Foreign workers will also need to undergo tests once they arrive in Singapore.
Newly arrived S-pass and work permit holders from the construction, marine and process sectors of higher risk countries or regions are required to perform a PCR test on arrival and a serological test starting January 18, said the Multi-Ministerial Working Group (MTF).
“The PCR test on arrival will allow early detection of Covid-19 cases, provide access to medical care quickly and reduce the risk of leakage of imported cases to the community,” MTF said.
He added that the serological test on arrival, meanwhile, will allow the identification of workers who have recovered and have antibodies.
These recovered workers will be exempt from SHN, the additional seven-day testing regimen, and the routine testing requirements listed.
“This can help minimize work disruption and associated costs for SHN and testing. The cost of retesting on arrival will be borne by employers,” MTF said.
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