S’pore Tightens Border Restrictions for Travellers From Australia & Relaxes Measures for Those From Guangdong, China

With the COVID-19 situation for every country always changing, the Multi-Ministry COVID-19 Taskforce (MMT) has been monitoring the situation, tightening or relaxing restriction measures where necessary.

After the news about Australia’s spike in COVID-19 cases broke out, the government has also acted accordingly.

S’pore Tightens Border Measures for Travellers from Australia

On Wednesday (30 June), the MMT announced in a press release that it would be tightening border measures for travellers from Australia due to the rise in COVID-19 cases there.

From 2 July, 2359 hours onwards, travellers entering Singapore with travel history to Australia in the 21 days prior to their departure for Singapore, will have to undergo an on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

Additionally, they will also have to serve a 7-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at their place of residence. At the end of the SHN period, travellers will have to undergo another COVID-19 PCR test.

However, the aforementioned restrictions will only apply to travellers who are Singaporean Citizens, permanent residents (PRs), or Long-Term Pass holders.

For short-term travellers holding an Air Travel Pass (ATP), those with travel history to Australia in the 21 days prior to their departure for Singapore will not be allowed to enter Singapore.

Relaxation of Border Measures for Travellers From Guangdong Province, Mainland China 

Meanwhile, the MMT has also announced that border measures for travellers from Guangdong province, Mainland China, will be relaxed due to the improvement of the  COVID-19 situation there.

Previously, travellers coming into Singapore from Guangdong had to serve a 7-day SHN. However, as of 2 July 2359 hours, all travellers entering Singapore with travel history to Guangdong within the last 21 days before departure to Singapore will no longer need to serve a 7-day SHN period.

Travellers from this area are only required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. If the PCR test result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.

This also applied to short-term visitors with travel history to Guangdong. From 7 July onwards, short-term visitors can apply for an ATP with immediate effect within the 21 days before departure for Singapore for entry into Singapore.

They are also not required to serve a 7-day SHN period, and instead are only subject to a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. Similarly, if the PCR test result is negative, they will then be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.

Travellers will still be required to complete their 7-day SHN and exit swab test if they are still serving their 7-day SHN at their place of residence as of 2 July, 2359 hours.

Feature Image: Shutterstock.com (Irina Sokolovskaya / Lili.Q)