Press Releases
Updates on Border Measures for Travellers
5 September 2021
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The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has been closely monitoring the global COVID-19 situation and regularly reviews Singapore’s border measures to manage the risk of importation from travellers and onward local transmission. We will be extending and updating our pre-departure testing requirement for all travellers from Category II, III and IV countries/regions. We will also be updating our border measures for travellers from a number of countries/ regions. The updated border measures would apply to all travellers from the identified countries/regions arriving from 9 September 2021, 2359 hours.
Updated pre-departure test requirement for inbound travellers
2. To reduce the risk of importation, we have required all travellers (including Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) from Category III and IV countries/regions to produce a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result taken within 72 hours before departure to Singapore to enter or transit through Singapore. From 9 September 2021, 2359 hours, all inbound travellers entering or transiting through Singapore from Category II, III and IV countries/ regions will need to produce a negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure to Singapore. Travellers entering Singapore will still be subjected to the following:
a. On-arrival PCR test1;
b. Corresponding SHN and testing regime upon arrival in Singapore; and
c. Tested at the end of their SHN.
Review of Country/ Region Classifications
Category II countries/ regions
3. We have reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the Republic of Korea and will adjust our border measures accordingly. From 9 September 2021, 2359 hours, travellers entering or transiting through Singapore with travel history to the Republic of Korea within the last 21 days before departure for Singapore will be required to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure to Singapore. The travellers entering Singapore will also be subjected to an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, a 7-day SHN at their place of residence, and a COVID-19 PCR test before the end of the SHN period.
Category III countries/ regions
4. We have reviewed the evolving COVID-19 situation in Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, and will adjust our border measures for these countries/regions.
5. From 9 September 2021, 2359 hours, travellers from Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden who are fully vaccinated2 may apply to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at a suitable accommodation of their choice (e.g. residential address, hotels or serviced apartments), if they fulfil the following criteria in Annex A. Unvaccinated travellers will be required to undergo a 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.
6. The updated country/region classification and its corresponding border measure may be found in Annex B.
Regular Review of Border Measures
7. As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures in tandem with our roadmap to becoming a COVID resilient nation. Any changes to border measures will be updated on the SafeTravel website. Travellers are advised to visit the website to check the latest border measures for the associated country or region before entering Singapore; and be prepared to be subjected to the prevailing border measures upon entry.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
5 SEPTEMBER 2021
Annex A
Criteria to Opt out of Serving Stay Home Notice (SHN) in Dedicated SHN Facilities
From 9 September 2021, 2359 hours, all fully vaccinated travellers3 from Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, may apply to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at their respective places of residence (e.g. residential address) or at other suitable accommodation (e.g. hotels or serviced apartments). Fully vaccinated traveller from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland, may continue to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities as announced on 19 August 2021.
2. Applications will be considered if the vaccinated traveller has fulfilled the following criteria:
a. Remained in the above-mentioned countries4 in the last consecutive 21 days prior to arriving in Singapore; and
b. Are occupying their respective places of residence or other suitable accommodation alone, or only with household members who are also vaccinated persons5 serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN.
3. For Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs), the application must be made three days prior to arrival via the SafeTravel website. Travellers who are not SCs or PRs may apply to opt out as part of the entry application process from 9 September 2021, 2359 hrs onwards. All travellers must present the approval to opt out upon arrival in Singapore. All travellers who successfully opt out must remain in their declared place of residence/accommodation at all times and are required to don an electronic monitoring device throughout their SHN period.
4. Action will be taken against those who breach the requirements of the SHN or make false declarations. Travellers will also be required to utilise specially designated transport services to and from their place of residence and bear the costs6 for these transport arrangements.
Annex B
Table caption
Country/Region Classification for Recent 21-day travel history (for arrival from 9 September 2021, 2359 hours) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Category I | Category II | Category III | Category IV | |
Countries/ Regions | Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China and Taiwan | Australia, Brunei, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea | Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Switzerland | All other Countries/ Regions* |
Border Measure^ | On-Arrival Test | 1. Pre-Departure PCR Test within 48 hours 2. On-Arrival Test 3. 7-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at place of accommodation 4. Day 7 SHN exit Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test | 1. Pre-Departure PCR Test within 48 hours 2. On-Arrival PCR Test 3. 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facility or place of accommodation (if criteria fulfilled) 4. Day 3, 7 and 11 Antigen-Rapid Test (ART) self-swab test# 5. Day 14 SHN PCR test | 1. Pre-Departure PCR Test within 48 hours 2. On-Arrival PCR Test** 3. 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facility 4. Day 3, 7 and 11 ART self-swab test# 5. Day 14 SHN PCR test |
^Countries/Regions may have vaccination-differentiated border measures. Please check the SafeTravel website for details.
* All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with travel or transit history to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are still not allowed to enter Singapore, as per MOH’s press releases on 22 and 30 Apr 2021.
**Travellers from identified Countries/Regions will have to undergo an on-arrival ART test in addition the on-arrival PCR. Please check the SafeTravel website for details.
#Every traveller aged 3 and above (in the calendar year) who is serving SHN will have to pay $40 (inclusive of GST) for 4 ART kits. ART swabbing is required for travellers serving SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.
LTPHs with passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) may have to comply with additional requirements and measures.
Only Non-Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders from Category I countries/regions may enter Singapore for short-term visits unless separately announced.
1 To expedite the COVID-19 PCR test at the checkpoints, travellers are strongly encouraged to register and pre-pay for their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test prior to departing for Singapore at https://safetravel.changiairport.com/ (for Changi Airport) and https://t.2c2p.com/express/parkwayshenton (for Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal).
2 An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after he or she has received the full regimen of Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comirnaty, Moderna or other WHO EUL vaccines.
3 An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after he or she has received the full regimen of Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comirnaty, Moderna or WHO EUL vaccines.
4 Including these countries/regions listed in Category I and II
5 Vaccinated travellers of the same travel party with unvaccinated minors (aged under 12 years old) can also apply to opt out of their SHN at SDF to serve together at their place of residence or other suitable accommodation. The unvaccinated minors will be subjected to the prevailing testing regime (i.e. children aged 3 years old and above will undergo a D14 PCR).
6 Transport is estimated to cost about $200-220 in total for travel from checkpoint to place of residence and roundtrip for COVID-19 test before end of SHN.