SINGAPORE: COVID-19 border measures will be tightened for travelers from India, who will have to serve an additional seven days stay-home notice at their residence following their 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facilities, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (Apr 20).
This follows a surge of COVID-19 infections in India in recent days.
The stay-home notice period for travelers from Hong Kong will be reduced from 14 days to seven days, and can be served at their place of residence “if suitable”, said MOH in a press release.
These changes will be in force from Thursday at 11.59 pm.
“Given the worsening situation in India, and the emergence of new virus variants, we will tighten border measures for travelers from India by reducing entry approvals for non-Singapore citizens or permanent residents, and subjecting all travelers arriving from India to an additional seven-day stay home notice at their place of residence, following their 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated stay-home notice facilities from Apr 22, 2021, 11.59 pm,” said MOH.
MOH added that they will be tested after their 14-day stay-home notice period, as per current requirements, and again after the seven-day stay-home notice period.
“Travellers who have yet to complete their 14-day stay-home notice by Apr 22, 2021, 11.59 pm, will also be subjected to the additional seven-day stay-home period,” said MOH.
“Migrant workers arriving from India in the construction, marine, and process sectors will continue to be subjected to a 21-day stay-home notice. These measures will minimize importation risks and protect public health.”
CNA has asked MOH for more details about the reduction of entry approvals for non-Singaporeans or permanent residents.
MEASURES EASED FOR TRAVELLERS FROM HONG KONG
MOH is easing measures for travelers arriving from Hong Kong following an improvement of the COVID-19 situation in the city.
This will apply to travelers who have remained in Hong Kong in the last 14 consecutive days and who enter Singapore from Apr 22, 2021, at 11.59 pm.
“Given the improved local situation in Hong Kong, travelers arriving from Hong Kong from Apr 22, 2021, 11.59 pm will undergo a reduced seven-day stay-home notice period, which can be served at their place of residence if suitable,” said MOH.
“They will be subjected to an on-arrival COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and another PCR test before the end of their seven-day stay-home notice.”
At the same time, Singapore authorities will also begin allowing long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the UK and South Africa.
“The multi-ministry taskforce regularly reviews Singapore’s border measures to manage the risk of importation from travelers and onward local transmission, taking into account the current situation in their source countries or regions,” said MOH.
