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SINGAPORE – Travelers with a recent travel history to Sabah will be required to submit a 14-day stay-at-home notice (SHN), the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Monday (October 12).
Other measures affecting travelers were also announced as part of the multi-ministerial working group’s periodic review of import risk and subsequent local transmission of travelers.
Given the recent increase in cases, all travelers entering Singapore from Wednesday (October 14) at 11:59 p.m. onwards, with a travel history in the last 14 days to Sabah, will have to attend the 14-day SHN at SHN’s specialized facilities.
The measure will also apply to Singapore-based returning travelers under the Reciprocal Green Lane scheme, as well as Malaysian citizens and permanent residents entering Singapore under the Periodic Travel Agreement. MINSA added that it will continue to monitor the situation in other parts of Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.
Any visitor with a recent travel history to Indonesia or the Philippines, who is not a Singapore citizen or PR, will also need to present a valid negative Covid-19 test to enter or travel through Singapore.
This will go into effect on October 19 at 11:59 p.m.
To reduce the importation of cases from these countries, travelers must take a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test within 72 hours before departure. They will still be required to serve a 14-day SHN at specific SHN facilities and take a negative Covid-19 test before their SHN ends.
The multi-ministry task force also announced a relaxation of measures for some other countries and regions.
As the situation in Hong Kong has improved, it will be added to the list of low-risk countries or regions, which includes mainland China and Taiwan.
Travelers from Hong Kong will be allowed to attend a reduced SHN of seven days at their place of residence instead of 14 days at the special SHN facilities. This takes effect as of Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.
The Health Ministry also said that the Immigration and Control Points Authority (ICA) will lift the visa suspension and resume the issuance of new visas.
Short-term visitors who require a visa to enter Singapore can apply for one through a local contract, a Singapore mission abroad, or an authorized visa agent starting October 18 at 11:59 p.m. Visitors who already have received visas that are still valid, as well as those who are eligible for visa-free transit facility, do not need to reapply.
However, possession of a valid visa alone will not guarantee entry into Singapore. All short-term visitors must seek prior approval through the appropriate Covid-19 travel channels, such as obtaining a secure travel pass under green lane arrangements, to enter Singapore.
Covid-19 testing will also be more accessible to travelers, the Health Ministry said.
The ministry plans to increase the number of clinics and providers that can administer the test beyond about 150 clinics that provide pre-departure testing. Laboratories, clinics, and swab service providers can request approval from the Ministry of Health.
Individuals who have been approved to take such tests through the Safe Travel website will be able to schedule an appointment with the expanded list of approved clinics and providers.
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