Singapore: Authorities ban travel from seven countries, including South Africa, from 23:59 Nov. 27 due to new COVID-19 variant /update 58

Event

Singapore will ban the entry and transit of long-term pass holders and short-term visitors from seven countries, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, from 23:59 Nov. 27. The measure, which will remain in place for at least four weeks, is in response to the reported emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in the region. The restriction will also apply to travelers who have obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore. Officials may extend the curbs depending on COVID-19 activity in the countries. Returning Singapore citizens and permanent residents are exempt from the ban but will be subject to a 10-day quarantine at dedicated facilities. Authorities will adjust South Africa from Category 2 to Category 4. Additionally, authorities will extend Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements to six more countries including Thailand from Dec. 14, as well as Cambodia, Fiji, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Turkey from Dec. 16.

Travel Restrictions
Citizens and permanent residents (PRs) can enter the country from any location without prior approval. Varying entry requirements and permissions are in place depending on vaccination status, country of origin, and purpose of visit. Individuals may use the self-help tool on the SafeTravel website to check their eligibility to travel to Singapore by clicking here.

Officials continue to classify international locations into the following four categories in increasing order of strictness of border measures based on a traveler's 14-day travel history:

• Category 1: Travelers do not need to take a pre-departure test but must undergo a PCR test upon arrival. Entrants who test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival are exempt from quarantine. Authorities allow short-term visitors from these locations.

• Category 2: Travelers must take an ART or PCR test within 48 hours before departure, quarantine at their residence or self-sourced accommodation for seven days upon arrival, and take a COVID-19 PCR test before ending their quarantine.

• Category 3: Travelers must take an ART or PCR test within 48 hours before departure, quarantine for 10 days at their residence or self-sourced accommodation, and take a COVID-19 PCR test before ending their quarantine.

• Category 4: Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities, and take a COVID-19 PCR test before ending their quarantine. The 10-day stay at dedicated facilities costs SGD 1,450. All other locations are under this category.

The corresponding locations under each category can be found by clicking here. Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements that allow quarantine-free travel are also available for fully vaccinated individuals from select countries like Australia. Entrants must undergo pre-departure testing, and self-isolate until negative results of an on-arrival test arrive. Authorities will extend the scheme to Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sweden from Nov. 29. However, officials will indefinitely defer the VTL with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE which was initially scheduled to begin on Dec. 6 due to new COVID-19 variant concerns. Only citizens, permanent residents, or long-term pass holders may travel under the first phase of the VTL scheme between Malaysia and Singapore; travelers must undergo an on-arrival ART. Travelers may check testing requirements and other details by clicking here.

Short-term visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan can alternatively apply for an Air Travel Pass for all purposes. Reciprocal Green Lanes, which allow official and business travel, are in effect with Brunei, as well as Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin municipalities and Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces in China. Visitors under the programs must have a local sponsor and a minimum of SGD 30,000 travel insurance. They must also undergo on-arrival testing, and self-quarantine until receiving a negative test result. In addition, RGL applicants must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before departure, and adhere to controlled itineraries for the first 14 days.

The Johor Causeway, which links Singapore to Malaysia, is open from 07:00-19:00 daily. Singaporean citizens arriving from Malaysia by land can get tested upon arrival. Officials may deny entry to returning PRs who arrive without a negative PCR test result. State carrier Singapore Airlines (SQ) and its subsidiaries, Scoot (TR) and SilkAir (MI), are resuming operations to several locations gradually. Foreigners flying from select cities with several airlines, including SQ, TR, and MI, can transit via Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

Domestic Restrictions
Singapore continues to implement domestic gathering restrictions as of Nov. 26. Households may receive five unique visitors a day. Up to five fully vaccinated people may dine together at food establishments; they no longer need to be from the same household. Such groups may also dine at hawker centers and coffee shops that have installed vaccination status checks. The group limit for dine-in facilities without necessary checks will remain capped at two people, regardless of household sharing. Exclusion of unvaccinated individuals will expand to public libraries, and select activities in community centers from Dec. 1; unvaccinated people are currently barred from availing of dine-in services, as well as entering malls, attractions, and large standalone stores excluding supermarkets.

Other measures remain. Companies must allow employees to telecommute to the extent possible, though essential services can continue to operate on-site with full staffing. Live performances, sporting events, and worship programs can accommodate up to 1,000 vaccinated attendees, and up to 50 participants if unvaccinated and without pre-event testing. Authorities require people to practice health protocols, including wearing facemasks in public.

Advice

Consider postponing travel if affected by travel restrictions. Confirm flight status before checking out of accommodation and departing for the airport. Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Ministry of Health Singapore
TraceTogether Mobile Application
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Safe Travel Portal
Air Travel Pass
Reciprocal Green Lanes