Possible Consequences For S’pore Residents Who Insist On Travelling Despite Travel Advisories

Just a few weeks ago, many were posting on social media about how the COVID-19 period is the best time to travel due to cheap air tickets.

Many also said that they didn’t care if they contracted the virus abroad because they believed that they would likely recover from it.

That or they signed on to the mentality of #YOLO.

But the truth is, it’s not safe to travel and it’s not worth risking your life or that of other vulnerable fellow Singaporeans, and the government may have no choice but to enforce this.

Possible Consequences For S’pore Residents Who Insist On Travelling Despite Travel Advisories

The Government said on Sunday that those who are stubborn and still insist on travelling abroad despite travel advisories in the near future may face consequences.

The National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that the Government is currently considering consequences against those who choose to travel abroad despite the border control measures.

“I don’t think we can allow this to continue. We are discussing what additional measures may be needed,” said Mr Wong.

He also said that the consequence to work pass holders who leave Singapore during this period would be that they may not be allowed entry later.

Mr Lawrence Wong co-chairs the multi-ministry task force set up to handle the coronavirus situation.

He says that Singapore will “significantly tighten” Singapore’s borders in the face of the rapidly escalating virus outbreak around the world.

“We don’t know the reasons (why people continue to travel), it may well be (that) they have very exceptional reasons to travel, but we do not want to see a third wave of imported cases from returning Singaporeans.”

“We are already having to digest this wave of returning Singaporeans now, I think if we experience third (or) fourth recurring waves of imported cases, it will be very, very challenging,” Mr Wong said, as he referred to the increasing number of imported cases here in Singapore as of late.

MOH also announced that in Singapore, almost 80% of new COVID-19 cases over the past three days were imported.

Most of them were Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning home from abroad.

The imported cases had travel histories to a whopping 22 different countries such as Europe, North America, South-east Asia and other parts of Asia.

14-day Stay Home Notice

All Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning to Singapore are required to complete a 14-day stay-home notice (SHN).

Those who are currently serving the 14-day SHN will be required to stay in their place of residence at all times.

Mr Wong also emphasised the need for it to be a collective effort from Singaporeans, and not just one from the government in order to overcome the COVID-19.

“With all of these measures which are designed to keep Singaporeans and Singapore safe… the objective cannot be achieved with Government measures alone. We do need everyone to take responsibility, to step up and do their part”

The Situation In Singapore

In Singapore, there are currently 23 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, almost half of which have been imported from the United Kingdom.

In total, 18 of these cases were imported.

9 of them have come from the UK, 1 from Canada, 2 from Malaysia, 3 from the US and the rest have been to a few countries.

1 is a short-term visitor, a 55-year-old female American.

In total, there are 455 confirmed cases.

144 of them have fully recovered, while 14 are in ICU. 2 have passed away.

MOH has identified 7,957 close contacts who have been quarantined. Of these, 2,310 are currently quarantined, and 5,647 have completed their quarantine.