Singapore: Authorities further ease COVID-19 entry requirements for multiple countries from Oct. 26 /update 54

Event

Singapore is easing several entry requirements for multiple countries from Oct. 26. Officials will permit all individuals with a 14-day travel history to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to enter and transit through Singapore from 23:59 Oct. 26; arrivals will be subject to Category 4 border measures. Authorities will also add Cambodia, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mongolia, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, South Africa, Tonga, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vietnam to Category 3 list from 23:59 Oct. 26. Travelers arriving or transiting from Category 2, 3, and 4 countries will no longer need to take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival but will need to undergo an exit COVID-19 PCR test at the end of the Stay-Home Notice (SHN). Arrivals from category 3 regions must apply and serve their 10-day SHN at their residence or self-sourced accommodation.

Officials continue to classify locations into four categories in increasing order of strictness of border measures based on a traveler's 14-day travel history. The categories are as follows:

• Category 1: Travelers do not need to take a pre-departure test but must undergo a COVID-19 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. The locations include Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, and Taiwan.

• Category 2: Travelers must take a COVID-19 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. The measures do not apply to travelers under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). The locations include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, and Vatican City.

• Category 3: Travelers must take a COVID-19 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; vaccinated travelers may apply to serve their quarantine at their place of residence. The locations include Cambodia, Egypt, Estonia, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Tonga, UAE, and Vietnam.

• 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. All other locations are under this category.

The 10-day stay at dedicated facilities costs SGD 1,450.

Domestic Restrictions
Ongoing gathering and domestic restrictions are in effect through Nov. 21. Social gatherings are capped at two people. Food establishments may offer dine-in services for groups of up to two fully vaccinated customers. Unvaccinated individuals cannot enter coffee shops, malls, attractions, and hawker centers. Households may receive two unique visitors a day. 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 continue to accommodate up to 1,000 vaccinated attendees and up to 50 participants if unvaccinated. Authorities continue to require people to practice health protocols, including wearing facemasks in public.

Travel Restrictions
Most short-term visa holders remain banned from entering, with exceptions for some humanitarian reasons. Citizens, permanent residents (PRs), and foreigners who work in Singapore and their dependents can enter the country. Non-PR foreign nationals must receive official approval before travel. Work pass holders and their dependents with travel history to higher-risk locations may apply for entry approval if fully vaccinated. The government requires all work pass holders and their dependents, as well as student pass holders, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving in Singapore from Nov. 1.

Fully vaccinated individuals may travel to Singapore from Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, and the US without quarantine under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). A VTL with South Korea will come into effect Nov. 15. Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours before departure and one upon arrival. Individuals must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between seven and 30 days before entry, with the exception of returning citizens and residents. Short-term visitors must have a minimum of SGD 30,000 travel insurance covering COVID-19 medical expenses.

The Johor Causeway, which links Singapore to Malaysia, is open from 07:00-19:00 daily. State carrier Singapore Airlines (SQ) and its subsidiaries, Scoot (TR) and SilkAir (MI), continue to suspend most flights but 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).

Travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for all purposes. Reciprocal Green Lanes (RGL), 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 program must have a local sponsor, undergo testing within 72 hours before departure and upon arrival, self-quarantine until receiving a negative test result and adhere to controlled itineraries for the first 14 days. ATP and RGL applicants must have a minimum of SGD 30,000 travel insurance.

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. Officials require travelers from Indonesia to undergo testing within 48 hours before departure and undergo an on-arrival PCR test.

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