S’pore Residents Who Return to S’pore With COVID-19 Can Now Use Government Subsidies & Insurance Coverage for Their Medical Bills

The prospect of overseas travel is undeniably risky nowadays, considering the impact that Covid-19 has had on our world.

You never know when you’re gonna catch a whiff of it and get sent for a straight nose jab. I mean, a test that goes inside your nostril.

Yet, though many concentrate on the health risk that the virus poses to us, some take into account something a little more material in nature:

The financial costs.

Yes folks. Getting infected and quarantined and all is bad, but an even worse notion is the fees at hand. After all…

Who’s gonna fork out all those bills amidst these tumultuous times, when everyone is getting their salaries chopped right, left and center?

S’pore Residents Who Return to S’pore With COVID-19 Can Now Use Government Subsidies & Insurance Coverage for Their Medical Bills

But thankfully (?), it seems that there’s a resolution now.

Singapore residents will now be entitled to government subsidies and insurance coverage for their medical bills, should they experience Covid-19 symptoms within 14 days of their return.

The revelation was announced by the Ministry of Health today (20 October), and is reportedly a part of the “progressive move” to kick off the resurgence of Singapore’s borders.

Lest you’re unaware, “green lane” arrangements and travel bubbles with nearby regions were set up after the nation oversaw a steady incline in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Selected countries and cities include Hong Kong and Indonesia. More regions are expected to follow suit.

Stumbling Block

At the moment, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders travelling overseas after 27 March are to pay for their own medical bills, should they experience symptoms within 14 days of return.

According to the Ministry of Health, they are not allowed to touch any government subsidies or insurance coverage.

Things are set to change, however, with the Ministry of Health’s latest move.

A definite boon to those who are not keen on incurring extra ‘travelling’ costs, I’m sure.

However, it should be noted that there will be “no change” for those who left the nation before 27 March. That is to say; the government will continue to handle any inpatient Covid-19 treatment costs upon return.

But the best scenario is, of course, if you don’t get infected at all.

A tall task, but hopefully a possible one.

Part Of The Nation’s Resurgence, Border Wise

As Singapore looks set to move into Phase 3, a number of arrangements could possibly be made.

One of them, as you’ve seen above, happens to be access to government subsidies and insurance coverage. This is to facilitate travel and re-opening of borders.

Another, according to the Ministry of Health, is the increase in maximum group size. Apparently, the present 5-person quota could soon be increased to 8 people.

Same goes for the maximum number of visitors to homes.

However, some aspects will continue to remain closed. Nightlife settings, such as bars and nightclubs, are not expected to re-open during Phase 3.

Though to be fair, the Ministry of Health has explored the option of “a few limited pilots” within these settings, which could mean the permission for specific venues to reopen with stringent rules in place.

Should the pilots work out, they may pave the way for further relaxations within the nightlife industry, though the Ministry of Health states that it would likely take a “long time” for the industry to fully get back on its feet.

Travel Bubbles

A while back, Singapore explored the concept of travel bubbles to revitalise its ailing travel industry.

Several countries were considered, with a majority of Singaporeans expressing in a poll that Korea would be the ideal place to go.

For the record, a fast lane between Singapore and Korea was set up on 4 September 2020. A leisure lane, however, has yet to be established between both nations.

For some time, Singapore also seemed set to establish a travel bubble across the causeway, with the Malaysian state government keen on the aspect.

However, a recent spate of cases in Malaysia has rendered the notion next to impossible at the moment.