Singapore imposes reduced entry approvals, 21-day SHN for travellers from India, effective 22 April

Please note the following key updates on Singapore's border measures, which are explained in detail in the story below:

1. Travellers entering Singapore from India will serve a total of 21 days of Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
2. Travellers entering Singapore from Hong Kong will undergo a reduced SHN period of seven days.
3. For those travelling out of Singapore on essential business and official travels, a 21-day SHN period will apply - this is only for fully-vaccinated individuals who travel to higher-risk countries/regions.
4. Travellers who are not fully-vaccinated will continue to be subjected to prevailing border measures upon their return.
5. Travellers who have history of being in the UK and South Africa within the last 14 days will now be allowed entry into Singapore, subject to a total of 21-day SHN. 

Effective 22 April 2021 (Thursday), 2359 hours, travellers entering Singapore from India will have to serve an additional seven days of Stay-Home Notice (SHN), at their place of residence, following their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities, for a total of 21 days of SHN.

Additionally, with immediate effect, Singapore will reduce entry approvals for both non-Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents entering from India, in efforts to tighten border measures for travellers with recent travel history to India.

These stricter measures and precautions come in light of the worsening COVID-19 situation in India, and the emergence of new virus variants, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced in a statement on Tuesday (20 April 2021). 

For the travellers who enter Singapore from India, per the current requirement, they will be tested for the virus at the end of their 14-day SHN, and again after they have completed the additional seven-day SHN. Those who have yet to complete their 14-day SHN by 22 April 2021, 2359 hours, will also be subjected to the additional seven-day SHN period.

Migrant workers arriving from India in the construction, marine and process sectors will continue to be subjected to a 21-day SHN, in order to "minimise importation risks and protect public health."

Travellers from Hong Kong to serve reduced SHN period of seven days

Apart from the above, the Taskforce also announced that given the improved local situation in Hong Kong, travellers arriving from the country effective 22 April 2021, 2359 hours will undergo a reduced SHN period of seven days. This can be served at their place of residence if suitable.

These travellers will be subjected to an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, and a second one before the end of their seven-day SHN.

Updates on border measures for fully-vaccinated individuals on essential and business travel

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce further noted that in spite of the ongoing pandemic, essential business and official travels still need to continue, as crucial interactions in "safeguarding and advancing Singapore's national interests."

To facilitate such travel in a safe manner, it will allow fully-vaccinated individuals who travel to higher-risk countries/regions as part of an official delegation, to be subjected to a stringent testing and self-isolation regime from 22 April 2021, 2359 hours.

These individuals must adhere to a strict event-by-event controlled itinerary while overseas, and undergo COVID-19 PCR tests on arrival, and on day three, day seven and day 14 of their return.

As an added precaution, these travellers will also be required to undergo a seven-day self-isolation period at home (or in a hotel) upon return. They may only leave their place of accommodation to commute to the PCR test site or to the workplace for essential work that cannot be done remotely.

Travellers who are not fully-vaccinated will continue to be subjected to prevailing border measures upon their return.

Entry restrictions lifted for travellers from the UK and South Africa

Lastly, the Taskforce also announced a lift on the earlier-imposed entry and transit restrictions for all long-term pass  holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the UK and South Africa.

"Our existing border control and domestic measures have been able to contain the risks of community spread from imported cases with such variants, which is now present in many countries beyond UK and South Africa."

As such, beginning 22 April 2021, 2359 hours, the following measures will apply from travellers entering from these two regions:

• Long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the UK and South Africa within the last 14 days will now be allowed entry into Singapore, after obtaining the relevant entry approvals.

• Arriving travellers will continue to serve a 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, with an additional seven-day SHN at their place of residence.

• Travellers with recent travel history to these two regions will now be allowed to transit through Singapore on airlines approved to operate such transfers.

The Ministry of Health will continue to evaluate the data on the various strains of the COVID-19 virus as these emerge and review Singapore's border measures accordingly.