SINGAPORE - Travellers fully
vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer need to take any Covid-19 tests to
enter Singapore from next Tuesday (April 26).
This will thus help air and sea
travellers save on testing fees and remove the hassle of having to book
pre-departure tests before their trips to Singapore.
The requirement had earlier been
removed for those who enter the country via the Causeway and the Second Link.
The latest move means that the
entry requirements for those who are vaccinated against Covid-19 will be almost
restored to what it was before the pandemic.
The Ministry of Health (MOH)
announced the eased testing rules on Friday.
Currently, air and sea travellers
entering Singapore will need to take either a professionally administered
Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, or a recognised antigen rapid
test (ART) before their trip.
The ART can either be
administered by a professional or supervised virtually by a recognised vendor.
Transport Minister S. Iswaran
said in a Facebook post on Friday evening that the air, land and sea transport
sectors are working to scale up their manpower and operations.
These efforts come ahead of
expected high traveller volumes especially during the upcoming May Day-Hari
Raya Aidilfitri long weekend, and the June school holidays.
“This will take time and I seek
the patience and understanding from all Singaporeans and travellers,” he added.
“We will closely monitor the
local and global public health situation and remain ready to reinstate tighter
public health measures when necessary, in consultation with the Ministry of
Health.”
He urged Singapore residents to
track the Covid-19 situation in the countries they are visiting and to plan
ahead for contingencies.
MOH also said that from May 1,
fully vaccinated non-Malaysian work permit holders holding an in-principle
approval in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors will no
longer need to apply for entry approvals to come into Singapore.
Instead, they will need to book a
slot to undergo onboarding upon arrival. The process, which can take up to four
days, will include medical examinations, vaccination verification and a
settling-in programme.
The Ministry of Manpower, the
Building and Construction Authority and the Singapore Economic Development
Board said in a joint statement that employers must ensure their non-Malaysian
work permit holders are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Eligible workers must have undergone
the pre-departure preparatory programme, which comprises a two-day Covid-19
testing regime, before entering Singapore, said the agencies.
Rules will however not be eased
for travellers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and are aged 13
and above.
MOH also said on Friday that all
long-term pass holders aged 13 and above arriving from July 1 will be required
to be fully vaccinated prior to entry. This rule takes into account the
increased availability of vaccines globally for those aged between 13 and 17.
Only those who are medically
ineligible for vaccines will be exempted.
Non-fully vaccinated long-term
pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above are not allowed to enter
Singapore, added MOH.
But exceptions will be made for
long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with other valid entry approval
and for long-term pass holders aged 13 to 17.
Those who are not fully
vaccinated but are allowed to enter Singapore will still have to take a
pre-departure test within two days before departure for Singapore. They will
also have to undergo a seven-day stay-home notice and take a Covid-19 PCR test
before the end of the stay-home notice.
