Singapore: Authorities lift travel ban on passengers from several African countries as of Dec. 27 /update 60

Event

Singapore has lifted an entry ban for long-term pass holders and short-term visitors and transit passengers who visited Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in the last 14 days. Passengers with travel history to these countries must take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure and a PCR test upon arrival, quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities, and take a PCR test before leaving quarantine.

Officials only permit employees that are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days to work on-site. Authorities will also require COVID-19 vaccination for long-term and work passes and permanent residency applications from Feb. 1.

Domestic Measures
Singapore continues to limit households to five unique visitors per day. Up to five fully vaccinated people may dine-in at restaurants and hawker centers and coffee shops conducting vaccination checks. Authorities limit groups to two people at establishments without necessary checks. Officials have barred unvaccinated people from dine-in services and entering malls, attractions, public libraries, select activities in community centers, and large standalone stores, excluding supermarkets. Facemasks are mandatory in public.

Companies must allow employees to telecommute to the extent possible, though essential services can continue to operate on-site with full staffing. Up to 50-percent of employees may work on-site, but workers must be fully vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19. Live performances, sporting events, and worship programs can host up to 1,000 fully vaccinated attendees or 50 unvaccinated participants without pre-event testing.

International Travel Restrictions
Citizens and permanent residents (PRs) can enter the country from any location without prior approval. Foreigners from most locations remain banned for short-term visits. However, entry requirements for other international travelers vary depending on vaccination status, country of origin, and purpose of visit. All inbound passengers must take a rapid antigen or PCR test within 48 hours before departure.

Officials determine quarantine requirements based on an entrant's 14-day travel history. Travelers from Category 1 locations are exempt from quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival. Travelers from Category 2 and Category 3 places can self-quarantine at their residence or accommodation for seven days and 10 days, respectively. Passengers from Category 4 locations must quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities at the cost of SGD 1,450. Arrivals from Category 2, 3, and 4 places must also take a COVID-19 PCR test before leaving quarantine. Detailed location and entry requirements can be found here.

Officials have suspended new ticket sales for Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements, which allow quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated individuals from select countries, through Jan. 20. However, passengers already holding VTL tickets may continue to travel under the arrangement. Entrants must undergo pre-departure and on-arrival testing and self-isolate until receiving a negative result in Singapore. Travelers must also take self-administered rapid antigen tests at quick test centers on days 3 and 7 after their arrival. Authorities will issue stay-home orders for VTL travelers violating testing requirements.

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 07:00-19:00 daily. Singaporean citizens arriving from Malaysia by land can get tested upon arrival. Officials may deny entry to returning PRs without a negative PCR test result. Foreigners flying from select cities with several airlines, including SQ, TR, and MI, can transit via Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

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 Vaccine Travel Lane Checklist
Air Travel Pass
Reciprocal Green Lanes