Singapore's latest border measures: Updated categories for France, Poland and more; transit allowed for Indonesia travellers

Travellers from Indonesia will be subject to Category IV border measures, i.e. they will just be required to undergo an on-arrival PCR test, instead of both an ART and a PCR test.

Singapore's Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) has announced updates to the country's border measures, which will take effect at 2359 hours on Wednesday (22 September 2021).

These updates mainly involve the re-classification of some countries/regions, and the resumption of transit through Singapore for travellers from Indonesia.

Updated travel classifications and their relevant testing requirements

Poland and Saudi Arabia added to Category II

Following a review of the COVID-19 situation in Poland and Saudi Arabia, both countries will be moved from Category III to Category II of Singapore's travel classifications, from 22 September 2021, 2359 hours.

Travellers in this category will be subject to:

1. A pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within 48 hours 
2. An on-arrival test
3. A seven-day Stay-Home Notice at their place of accommodation
4. An exit PCR test on day seven of their SHN

Other countries/regions currently in this category are: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. 

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Latvia, Portugal, and Spain added to Category III

Effective the same period (2359 hours, 22 September), following a review of the COVID-19 situation in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Latvia, Portugal, and Spain, all six will be moved from Category IV to Category III of Singapore's travel classifications.

Travellers in this category will be subject to:

1. A pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours
2. An on-arrival test
3. A 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facility or place of accommodation*
4. Day three, seven, and 11 Antigen-Rapid Test (ART) self-swab test^#
5. Day 14 SHN PCR test

*Vaccinated travellers from these countries may apply to serve their 14-day SHN at a suitable accommodation of their choice (e.g. residential address, hotels or serviced apartments), if they fulfil the criteria listed here. Unvaccinated travellers will still be required to undergo a 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.

#Every traveller aged three and above (in the calendar year) who is serving SHN will have to pay S$40 (inclusive of GST) for four ART kits. ART swabbing is required for travellers serving SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.

Other countries/regions currently in this category are: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Resumption of transits and removal of on-arrival ART for travellers from Indonesia

All travellers with a 21-day travel history to Indonesia are currently not allowed to transit through Singapore, and those entering Singapore are required to undergo an on-arrival ART (on top of the on-arrival PCR test).

However, effective 22 September (Wednesday), 2359 hours, all passengers with travel history to Indonesia within the last 21 days prior to departure for Singapore will be now allowed to transit through Singapore.

At the same time, travellers entering Singapore from Indonesia will be required to undergo just an on-arrival PCR test instead of an ART and a PCR test.

Travellers with travel history to Indonesia within the last 21 days of departure for Singapore will be subject to Category IV border measures.

Similar to travellers from Indonesia, the MTF has also noted that travellers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka (all currently in Category IV) would also just need to undergo an on-arrival PCR, instead of an ART plus a PCR test.

Lead photo / 123RF 

Table / MOH

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