Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on August 5.
The basics
“The bad news is that Covid-19 may never go away. The good news is that it is possible to live normally with it in our midst,” Singapore’s Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, wrote in an op-ed.
Under this plan, the government would continue to track and log Covid cases the same way it does with other diseases like influenza, with some people being allowed to recuperate from mild cases at home.
The key? Widespread vaccination. The country’s rollout program has been successful, with about two-thirds of citizens expected to have gotten at least one shot by the end of July.
Be aware that Singapore takes its pandemic-control regulations very seriously and is not afraid to enforce them. Quarantine violations carry a penalty of a fine of up to S$10,000 ($7,565), up to six months in jail, or both.
What’s on offer
The quintessential modern Asian city, Singapore’s glittering skyscrapers and waterside setting make it easy to love. Throw in some of the world’s best street food, served in its ubiquitous hawker centers, and the lush rainforest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and the city-state has more than enough to satisfy fascinated tourists.
Who can go
Following news of the new Delta variant, travelers from India have to serve an additional seven days of stay-home notice at their residence following their 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facilities. The Ministry of Health confirmed this update on April 20. However, the existing restrictions against travelers from the UK and South Africa have been lifted as the home-grown variants seems to be under control in those countries.
Until February 1, travelers from Germany, Malaysia and South Korea were part of the RGL program. Following upticks in cases in those three countries, Singapore has indefinitely suspended the green lanes with them for at least three months. Visitors who have already been approved to use the RGL will still be able to travel back and forth as long as they test negative, but no new applications will be accepted.
As of May 7, anyone entering Singapore from places other than Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will have to spend 21 days quarantining. This must be done in a government facility and not at home.
Beginning July 3, all travelers entering Singapore who have been in China’s Guangdong province within the past 21 days must undergo a PCR test upon arrival.
They will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore if the test result is negative, and will no longer be required to serve a seven-day stay-home notice period.
The World Economic Forum, due to be held in the Lion City in May, has been postponed to August 17-20.
What are the restrictions?
Singapore nationals and permanent residents are allowed to enter, but must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and spend 14 days in quarantine after being served a stay-home notice (SHN) on arrival. This can be undertaken in a dedicated SHN facility, or at their place of residence.
However, those who opt for the latter must wear an electronic monitoring device for 14 days and will be subject to checks, including random visits, calls and text messages. Details including ID card or passport number must be shared in order to confirm identity. A further PCR test must be taken and come back negative before being allowed out into the community.
The city-state has announced that it will accept the IATA digital travel pass, colloquially called a vaccine passport, from May 2021. This pass will store data confirming that a traveler has received the Covid-19 vaccination from an accredited laboratory. As the pass is still in the planning stages, Singapore has not released more details about whether holders will be able to skip or shorten quarantine or have other benefits.
As of January 24, anyone entering Singapore for any reason will get a rapid Covid-19 test upon arriving at the airport. And as of January 31, all travelers will have to prove they have travel insurance that can cover at least $30,000 in expenses if necessary.
Business travelers using the Reciprocal Green Lane and working for Singapore-based companies are subject to the same rules and must be staying at a non-residential address. They must also give authorities an itinerary for the entire length of their stay.
Connect@Changi, a purpose-built bubble facility built at Changi Airport’s Expo Hall, opened on February 19. The unique space provides places for people to meet in socially distanced pods and is intended as a way for high-value business travelers to come to the country safely.
Layover passengers are permitted in specific areas of the airport. They are not allowed to leave these designated areas unless they have a confirmed booking for one of Changi’s two airport hotels, and if going there they must be accompanied by an airport staff member.
What’s the Covid situation?
On June 9, the country notched its 34th death from the virus, which marked a grim milestone: the number of Covid deaths in Singapore officially passed those of the SARS epidemic in 2003.
The week of August 4, a new cluster of locally transmitted cases was traced to Changi General Hospital.
Despite earlier loosening of restrictions, Singapore returned to phase two, or hightened alert, from July 30 until August 18.
Under phase two, in-person gatherings are reduced to two people, food and beverage establishments must be takeaway-only (no dining in), households are asked to keep to two outside visitors per day, and anyone who is able to work from home must be permitted to do so by their employer.
Locals are still allowed to go on staycations at approved hotels, but they are limited to two guests per room. There are exceptions to this rule if everyone is in the same family, but it depends on the venue’s discretion.
As of August 5, the island has had 65,315 confirmed cases and 38 deaths. Singapore has had a very high vaccination turnout — about 63% of the population has had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
What can visitors expect?
All visits must be registered either through the Singapore government’s Safe Entry and Trace Together apps or by using a Trace Together token, which are available from community centers. Alcohol is not available in restaurants after 10.30 p.m.
Masks must be worn at all times when in public, except by those under six. There are exemptions for eating and exercising.
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Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley and Lilit Marcus contributed to this report