8 New Facts About the New Border Measures That’ll Take Place from Tomorrow (22 Apr), 11:59pm

Some things never change.

The earth will always rotate, mala will always be your favourite flavour, and the urge to travel as soon as possible never goes away.

Every day living in the pandemic brings about uncertainty, for the situation could easily become better or worse in the blink of an eye.

Changes to our border measures thus come about frequently according to what goes on in the outside world, to see whether we’re able to improve Singapore’s visitor rates while keeping the virus at bay.

Constant updates may become a little confusing, so here are all the facts you need to know about the latest border measures that will come into effect starting 22 April, 11:59pm.

Borders To Tighten For Travellers From India

Rather unfortunately, India’s virus situation has only been getting worse by the day – and there’s even new variants of COVID-19 emerging there.

As such, border restrictions have to be tightened for non-Singaporeans and non-Permanent Residents visiting Singapore from India.

The number of entry approvals for these visitors will thus be reduced, meaning that fewer visitors from India will be able to enter Singapore.

Additional 7-Day SHN For Travellers From India

Currently, like the Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) requirements for most travellers, visitors from India also have to serve a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Singapore.

However, to further act as a precaution, travellers from India will now have to serve an additional 7-day SHN at their place of residence after spending their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities.

Testing for COVID-19 will take place once at the end of the 14-day quarantine and again at the end of the additional seven days.

Those who have yet to complete their 14-day SHN by the time the new measures become effective will also have to be subjected to the additional 7-day SHN.

Migrant workers from India working in the construction, marine or process sectors will still have to go through a 21-day SHN according to current restrictions.

But Only 7-Day SHN For Travellers From Hong Kong

While travellers from India may have had longer quarantine periods slapped upon them, travellers from Hong Kong will be pleased to hear that they won’t need to serve as long of a quarantine period now.

Seeing as the situation in Hong Kong has greatly improved, travellers from the country will now be required to only serve a 7-day SHN, some at their places of residence if it is suitable.

Previously, they had been required to serve a 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities.

On arrival, they will undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and do it once again by the end of their SHN.

Who’s still hoping that this means our travel air bubble with Hong Kong is now getting closer to becoming a reality?

Travellers From the UK And South Africa Allowed Entry

Remember when news of a new strain of the COVID-19 virus being found in the United Kingdom and South Africa broke, leaving everyone in a panic?

MOH had then announced that they would restrict the entry and transit of Long-Term pass holders and short-term visitors from these countries into Singapore.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who returned upon having visited these countries in the past 14 days had to serve a 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities on top of a 7-day SHN at their places of residence.

Now that the measures have successfully controlled the spread of these variants among the community, which can now be found in other places besides the UK and South Africa, travellers from there will now be allowed into Singapore.

The SHN requirements still remain the same.

Transits Are Also Allowed

As for travellers with a recent travel history to the UK and South Africa, they will also be allowed to enter Singapore for transit purposes, which they were not allowed to do previously.

This is granted that the airlines they’re taking are approved to operate such transfers.

Essential Business and Official Travels Allowed For Vaccinated Travellers

Although Zoom and other online platforms have made it increasingly easier for business and official meetings during this time where we can’t travel, sometimes it just doesn’t cut it.

Some really, really, important official businesses require face-to-face meetings, for they could be critical to improving and protecting Singapore’s national interests.

As such, fully vaccinated individuals from official delegations will now be allowed to travel to higher-risk countries, given that they go through stringent testing and a self-isolation regime.

Strict Itinerary And Testing After Visiting High-Risk Countries

While overseas on official business, travellers are required to follow strict event-by-event itineraries during their stay.

They also have to take four COVID-19 PCR tests – one on arrival, and on Day 3, Day 7 and Day 14 of their return.

Self-isolation periods of seven days will be imposed upon their return, either alone in their homes or in hotel rooms.

They can only leave their homes to travel to PCR test sites or to their workplaces to complete important work that cannot be done remotely.

However, those who are not fully vaccinated need to adhere to the current border measures when they return.

Border Restrictions Will Still Be Updated

As we know, these border restrictions remain temporary measures that can be updated at any time following global developments.

These will help in reducing the risk of importing and transmitting COVID-19 cases into the community, especially new strains that will be reviewed by the MOH.

You can find all the updated measures and other travelling tips on the SafeTravel website.

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