Tightened COVID-19 pre-departure test requirements for more countries, regions including Australia

SINGAPORE: Tightened COVID-19 pre-departure test requirements will apply to more travellers getting into or transiting by means of Singapore from 11.59pm on Thursday (Sep 9). 

This contains Singapore residents and everlasting residents, the Ministry of Health (MOH) mentioned in a press launch on Sunday. 

All inbound travellers from Category II, III and IV nations or regions might want to produce a adverse pre-departure COVID-19 polymerase chain response (PCR) test consequence taken inside 48 hours earlier than departure to Singapore. 

MOH mentioned these travellers will nonetheless be subjected to an on-arrival PCR test, corresponding stay-home discover and testing regime in addition to one other test on the finish of their stay-home discover interval. 

• Category I: Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China and Taiwan
• Category II: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea
• Category III: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Switzerland
• Category IV: All different nations and regions

Previously, travellers from Category III and IV nations or regions had been required to provide a adverse PCR test consequence taken inside 72 hours earlier than departure to Singapore. 

This was to cut back the danger of COVID-19 importation, mentioned MOH.

ADJUSTED BORDER MEASURES

MOH additionally mentioned that it has reviewed the COVID-19 state of affairs within the Republic of Korea and can modify Singapore’s border measures accordingly. 

From 11.59pm on Sep 9, travellers getting into or transiting by means of Singapore with journey historical past to the Republic of Korea throughout the final 21 days will likely be required to current a sound adverse COVID-19 PCR test consequence taken inside 48 hours earlier than departure to Singapore. 

The travellers getting into Singapore will even be subjected to an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test, a 7-day stay-home discover at their place of residence, and one other PCR test earlier than the tip of their stay-home discover interval.

Following a overview of the “evolving COVID-19 situation” in these areas, MOH mentioned it has additionally adjusted Singapore’s border measures for Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden. 

Fully vaccinated travellers from these nations could apply to decide out of devoted stay-home discover amenities and serve their 14-day stay-home discover at an appropriate lodging of their selection from 11.59pm on Sep 9. 

Applications will likely be thought-about if the vaccinated traveller has remained in these nations for the final consecutive 21 days previous to arriving in Singapore.

The travellers should even be occupying their respective locations of residence or different appropriate lodging alone, or solely with family members who're additionally vaccinated people with the identical journey historical past and length of stay-home discover.

Unvaccinated travellers will likely be required to bear a 14-day stay-home discover at devoted stay-home discover amenities.

“As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures in tandem with our roadmap to becoming a COVID resilient nation,” mentioned MOH. 

Any modifications to frame measures will likely be up to date on the SafeTravel web site. 

MOH suggested travellers to go to the web site to test the newest border measures for the related nation or area earlier than getting into Singapore, and to be ready to be subjected to the prevailing border measures upon entry.