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SINGAPORE: All travelers, including Singaporeans and permanent residents, will be required to undergo a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival in Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Saturday (16 de January).
This will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on January 24, as part of stricter border measures to manage the risk of imported COVID-19 cases.
Existing home notification requirements, including a PCR test at the end of the notification period, will remain in effect, the ministry said.
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To facilitate the testing process, travelers are “strongly advised” to register and prepay for their COVID-19 PCR test before departing for Singapore, the Health Ministry said.
Currently, travelers who are not Singaporean or permanent residents and who have a recent travel history to high-risk countries or regions must have a PCR test within 72 hours before departure. They are then retested at the end of your stay-at-home notice period.
In a press release, the Ministry of Health noted the emergence of new variants of COVID-19 and the worsening of the coronavirus situation around the world.
“The multi-ministerial task force regularly reviews Singapore’s border measures to manage the risk of importation and local transmission of travelers,” the Health Ministry said.
“Given the resurgence of COVID-19 cases around the world, we will implement stricter measures for travelers to manage import risk.”
OTHER MEASURES FOR TRAVELERS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SOUTH AFRICA
The ministry also announced that all Singaporeans and permanent residents returning from the UK and South Africa will be subject to an additional seven days of self-isolation at their place of residence, following their 14-day home stay notice period in specialized facilities.
This will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on January 18.
They will be assessed at the end of their stay-at-home notice, as with the current requirement, and again after they have completed their seven-day self-isolation period, the Health Ministry said.
These additional precautions will apply to travelers who are currently complying with their stay-at-home notice and will be in effect until further notice.
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Singapore authorities had previously restricted entry and transit for all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with a recent travel history to the UK and South Africa, due to concerns of a more contagious variant of the coronavirus than circulates in those countries.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Starting at 11:59 pm on January 31, visitors applying to enter Singapore with the Air Travel Pass (ATP) and Reciprocal Green Lanes (RGL) will be required to have travel insurance for their hospitalization and treatment costs related to COVID-19 in Singapore. with a minimum coverage of S $ 30,000.
“Travel insurance will help them pay the costs of their medical treatment in Singapore. Visitors can buy travel insurance from insurers based in Singapore or abroad,” the Health Ministry said.
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Currently, short-term visitors entering Singapore under ATP and RGL must bear the full cost of medical treatment, in case they are suspected of being infected with coronavirus or requiring treatment for COVID-19 while in Singapore.
“As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures to manage the risk of importation and transmission to the community,” said the Ministry of Health.
“The Ministry of Health will also continue to review data and evidence on any new viral strains and update measures accordingly.”
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Any changes in the border measures will be updated on the SafeTravel website.
Travelers are advised to visit the website to check for the most up-to-date border measures before entering Singapore and to be prepared to be subjected to the border measures in force upon entry, including paying for their stay at notification, testing and dedicated stay-at-home treatment.
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