Less than 1% of People Arriving in S’pore Tested Positive for COVID-19 Since April 2020

Singapore has managed to keep the Covid-19 situation here under control, but the same can’t be said about other countries, such as India and Indonesia.

In fact, some people are so worried that a question was filed for the parliament sitting on 16 Feb 2021:

Why is Singapore not barring entry to travellers from India and Indonesia despite the disproportionately large number of confirmed cases?

Well, if you’ve been wondering about it as well, wonder no more.

The answer has been given.

Economic Reasons

The answer, in short simple terms, is to support economic key sectors.

Pointing out that most of Singapore’s migrant workers come from these two countries, Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon said that Singapore needs them in areas like construction and caregiving support.

“If we close our borders to them, many Singaporeans will not be getting the keys to their homes, many households will… need to find alternative care arrangements for their loved ones.”

“International connectivity is critical to our economy and survival. Singapore can ill afford to close ourselves off fully from the rest of the world.”

Less than 1% of People Arriving in S’pore Tested Positive for COVID-19 Since April 2020

It was added that migrant workers and visitors to Singapore are subjected to stringent preventive measures, including multiple tests and a 14-day Stay-Home-Notice (SHN).

They were tested once before they departed, once upon arrival and once before their SHN ends.

Dr Koh also added that since April 2020, less than 1% of people who had arrived in Singapore tested positive for Covid-19.

Indeed, the numbers do look good.

The confirmed cases are mainly travellers from Malaysia, China, India and Indonesia.

Travellers to Singapore must also purchase travel insurance (for short-term visitors) or medical insurance (for S Pass and work permit holders) that cover Covid-19-related medical expenses.

SHN is also enforced tightly, with offenders quickly caught and made an example of by the authorities.

In short, as long as people in Singapore do their part and obey Covid-19 rules, we might just be able to weather through this situation uneventfully.

Feature Image: Fedor Selivanov / Shutterstock.com (Image for illustration purpose only)