Singapore introduces additional COVID tests for business travellers, 14-day SHN for arrivals from Vietnam

Further, effective 10 Feb 2021, Singapore citizens, PRs and long-term pass holders returning from NSW (Australia) will need to undergo on-arrival tests in Singapore. If their results return negative, they will then be allowed to go about their activities.

Travellers under Singapore's Business Travel Pass Scheme (BTP Scheme) are now required to undergo COVID-19 PCR Tests, on day three, seven and 14 upon their return. An additional serology test will also be required on day three.

These enhanced testing requirements serve to minimise the risk of potential incubating cases leaking into the community, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce noted on Tuesday (9 February 2021).

Travellers are also to avoid events with more than eight attendees within 14 days of returning to Singapore.

The Taskforce stressed: "As compliance to the border measures in this scheme is crucial to safeguarding public health and helping to curb potential transmission of COVID-19 to the community, BTP holders must comply with the border measures in this scheme or risk having their BTPs revoked."

Details on the BTP Scheme

The BTP Scheme was introduced in June 2020 to facilitate essential business travel for senior executives based in Singapore, with regional or international responsibilities, who need to travel regularly for work.

BTP travellers are required to abide by a strict controlled itinerary when travelling. Upon return, BTP travellers will undergo an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test in lieu of the SHN and are required to be isolated in a single location until they obtain a negative result for their test.

In addition, travellers are required to use TraceTogether, avoid all forms of public transport within 14 days of return, comply with safe management measures at their workplace and abide by all other prevailing measures applicable to local residents.

Travellers from Vietnam to now undergo 14-day SHN upon arrival

In further border updates, effective 2359 hours on 12 February 2021, travellers from Vietnam will need to undergo a 14-day SHN upon arrival in Singapore, in light of increased COVID-19 cases in Vietnam.

Previously, travellers from Vietnam were not required to do so if their on-arrival COVID-19 test results were negative.

Travellers should note the following rules from 12 February:

• Singapore citizens, PRs and long-term pass holders entering Singapore, with travel history to Vietnam within the last 14 days before departure for Singapore, will be subject to an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and a PCR test before the end of the SHN period.

• Short-term travellers holding an Air Travel Pass (ATP) with travel history to Vietnam within the last 14 days before departure for Singapore, will not be allowed to enter Singapore.

• All travellers who are not Singapore citizens or PRs will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departure. These travellers will still be required to undergo an on-arrival test and serve their SHN upon arrival and be tested at the end of SHN.

Travellers from Vietnam are allowed to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence, if they fulfil the following criteria:

1. They have travelled to no other country/region than above-mentioned country/region, in the last consecutive 14 days prior to entry; and
2. They are occupying their place of residence (i.e. residential address) alone, or only with household members who are also persons serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN.

The COVID-19 tests will continue to be administered before the end of the SHN.

Travellers from New South Wales, Australia, now required to take on-arrival tests in Singapore

Apart from the above, effective today (10 February 2021), 2359 hours, Singapore citizens, PRs and long-term pass holders returning from New South Wales, Australia will undergo a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at the airport, in lieu of a seven-day SHN. They will then be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore only if their test result comes back negative.

Short-term visitors from the state can also apply for an ATP for entry into Singapore on or after 16 February 2021. Similarly, they will undergo a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at the airport in lieu of a seven-day SHN, and will be allowed to go about their activities if the result is negative.

These adjusted measures come as the state of New South Wales has seen an improvement in its COVID-19 situation, with no local community cases recorded in the recent 21 days, the Taskforce noted.

Prior to these adjusted measures, Singapore citizens, PRs and Long-Term Pass holders entering Singapore with travel history to the state within the last 14 days before departure for Singapore, had been subjected to a seven-day SHN at their place of residence with a COVID-19 PCR test before the end of their SHN period.

At the same time, short-term visitors holding an ATP with travel history to NSW, Australia within the last 14 days before departure for Singapore had not been allowed to enter Singapore.