Singapore tightens COVID-19 rules for travellers from India, cuts entry approvals for non-Singaporeans and PRs
21 April, 2021
COVID-19 border measures will be tightened for travellers from India, who'll have to serve yet another seven days of 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 new requirement will need effect from Thursday at 11.59pm.
With immediate effect, Singapore will also reduce entry approvals for non-Singapore citizens or permanent residents as a result of worsening situation in India and the emergence of new virus variants, said MOH.
Travellers from India will be tested after their 14-day stay-home notice period, according to current requirements, and again following the seven-day stay-home notice period.
"Travellers who have yet to complete their 14-day stay-home notice by Apr 22, 2021, 11.59pm, may 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 put through a 21-day stay-home notice. These measures will minimise importation risks and protect public health."
CNA has asked MOH for additional information about the reduced amount of entry approvals for non-Singaporeans or everlasting residents.
MEASURES EASED FOR TRAVELLERS FROM HONG KONG
The Health Ministry also announced that it's easing measures for travellers arriving from Hong Kong following a noticable difference of the COVID-19 situation in the city.
Their stay-home notice period will be reduced from 14 days to seven, and the notice period could be served at their host to residence "if suitable", said MOH.
This will connect with travellers who have remained in Hong Kong within the last 14 consecutive days and who enter Singapore from Thursday 11.59pm.
They will be subject to a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on arrival and another swab before the end of their seven-day stay-home notice.
At the same time, Singapore authorities will also commence allowing long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the united kingdom and South Africa.
"The multi-ministry taskforce regularly reviews Singapore’s border measures to manage the chance of importation from travellers and onward local transmission, considering the current situation within their source countries or regions," said MOH.
INDIA RECORDS WORST DAILY DEATH TOLL
India, the country currently being hit hardest by the pandemic, on Tuesday reported its worst daily death toll, with large parts of the country now under lockdown amid a fast-rising second wave of infections.
Its health ministry said 1,761 persons had died previously day, bringing India's toll to 180,530. It is well below the 567,538 deaths reported in the United States, although authorities believe India's actual deaths are more compared to the official count.
The world's second-most populous country is grappling using its biggest public health emergency after it lowered its guard when coronavirus infections fell to a multi-month low in February, said health authorities and officials.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Protection has said all travel ought to be avoided to India, while Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled an official trip to New Delhi that were scheduled for in a few days, and his government said it'll add India to its travel "red list".
Hong Kong also suspended flights from India from Tuesday, the same day that the city reported that at least 53 passengers on a flight from New Delhi tested positive for COVID-19.
Singapore's Health Ministry on Tuesday said it will continue to change border measures to manage the chance of importation and transmission to the community as the global situation evolves.
"The Ministry of Health may also continue to review the data and evidence on any new viral strains and update the measures accordingly," it added.
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