Singaporeans and residents of Singapore may travel overseas:
a) To Australia, Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand, Mainland China, Taiwan and Vietnam; as well as Hong Kong under the Air Travel Bubble arrangement[1];
b) If they are students pursuing academic qualification overseas, and where distance-learning is not offered as an option by the education institution[2]; or
c) For essential travel for business, official and work purposes under Green/Fast Lane arrangements and the Periodic Commuting Arrangement.
Except for the above, Singaporeans and residents of Singapore are advised to defer all other forms of travel overseas.
Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements imposed by the countries/regions they intend to travel to. When overseas, travellers should take all necessary precautions, observe good personal hygiene, monitor local developments, and heed the advice of local authorities.
All travellers will be subject to the prevailing border measures upon entry to Singapore, including payment for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities and tests, where applicable. All Singapore Citizens (SCs), Permanent Residents (PRs), and Long-Term Pass Holders (LTPHs) will be able to tap on regular healthcare financing arrangements for their COVID-19 treatment should they have onset of symptoms within 14 days of their return to Singapore and require hospital admission for suspected COVID-19 infection – SCs and PRs may access Government subsidies, and MediShield Life (MSHL) / Integrated Shield Plan (IP) coverage; LTPHs may tap on their usual financing arrangements, such as private insurance. From 1 January 2021, this will also apply to all new and returning SCs, PRs and LTPHs who last left Singapore before 27 March 2020. [3]As Singapore’s measures will evolve as the global situation changes, we encourage everyone to check the MOH website (https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19) for the latest updates.
[1] [Updated 21 Nov] Launch of Singapore–Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble Flights to be Deferred - Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
[2] Overseas studies should be of at least one academic year, for courses which require physical presence in the foreign educational institution, and which will lead to attainment of academic qualifications. Existing students who are completing such academic programs (i.e. balance duration of less than an academic year) are included. Students below the age of 18 may be accompanied by an adult. Mature students may travel overseas with their dependents who will be residing with them for the duration of their studies.
[3] The Government has thus far borne the costs of COVID-19 medical bills for existing SCs/ PRs/ LTPHs who last left Singapore before 27 March 2020, and new SCs/ PRs/ LTPHs. With effect from 1 January 2021, all returning SC/ PR/ LTPH travellers who last left Singapore before 27 March 2020, as well as new SCs/ PRs/ LTPHs, will be responsible for their inpatient medical bills, should they develop onset of symptoms within 14 days of their arrival in Singapore.
We urge Singaporeans to remain calm and vigilant. Singaporeans can continue to play their part by being socially responsible, practising good personal hygiene habits and complying with safe distancing measures. (click hereto view other MOH Health Advisories.) Members of the public should adopt the following precautions at all times:
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness;
- Observe good personal hygiene;
- Practise frequent hand washing with soap (e.g. before handling food or eating, after going to toilet, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing);
- Wear a mask if you need to leave your house (click here for guidance on use of masks and face shields);
- Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of the soiled tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately; and
- Seek medical attention promptly if you are feeling unwell and get swabbed if your doctor refers you.
Health Advisory for Persons Issued Stay-Home Notice
If you are issued a Stay-Home Notice, you must remain in your place of residence at all times during the Stay-Home Notice period. Do not leave your residence, even to purchase food and essentials.
Individuals who breach their Stay-Home Notice may be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act and/or the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.
Please click here to read the full advisory.
The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has been closely monitoring the global COVID-19 situation and will be tightening border measures given the resurgence of cases in Malaysia and Japan. All travellers entering Singapore from 22 November 2020, 2359 hours, who have a travel history in the past 14 days to Malaysia will now be required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. All travellers [except Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs)] entering Singapore from 27 November 2020, 2359 hours, who have a travel history in the past 14 days to Malaysia will be required to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before departure.
For details please click here.
All travellers entering Singapore from 8 November 2020, 2359 hours who have a travel history in the past 14 days to Estonia and Norway will be required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities, even if they have obtained approval to opt out earlier.
Please click here for more information.Given the recent increase in cases, travellers with recent travel history to Sabah, Malaysia will now be required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. We will also require travellers who have recent travel history to Indonesia or the Philippines, and who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, to present a valid negative COVID-19 test result to enter or transfer through Singapore. As the situation in Hong Kong has improved, we will reduce the SHN period from 14 days at dedicated SHN facilities, to 7 days at their place of residence, for travellers from Hong Kong.
Please click here for more information.
Since 11 August 2020, all travellers serving SHN outside of dedicated SHN facilities are required to don an electronic monitoring device throughout their SHN. This complements agencies’ checks to ensure compliance with the SHN. With the enhanced surveillance regime in place, we will also adopt a risk-based approach and allow more travellers from Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Japan, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey[1] to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence, if they fulfil the following criteria:
a. Travelled to no other country than above-mentioned countries, in the last consecutive 14 days prior to entry; and
b. Are occupying their place of residence (i.e. residential address) alone, or only with household members who are also persons serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN.
Travellers from the abovementioned countries may apply to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities from 2 November 2020, for arrivals on or after 4 November 2020. For Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs), the application must be made prior to arrival via the Safe Travel Office website. Travellers who are not SCs or PRs may apply to opt out as part of the entry approval process.
For details, please click here.
[1] As of 27 October 2020. Please refer to the Safe Travel Office Website for updates to the countries/regions identified.
Stay-Home Notice and Testing RegimePlease click here for the latest measures for inbound travellers.
Additional Precautionary Safeguard for Passengers Arriving from Hong Kong nn Air Travel Bubble Flights
All arriving passengers from Hong Kong under the Singapore – Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) will be required to take an on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at Changi Airport. This will take effect on 22 November 2020.
For details please click here.
Requiring Pre-Departure Tests (PDT) for Travellers from Indonesia and the Philippines (updated 12 Oct 2020)
To reduce the importation of cases from Indonesia and the Philippines, travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents and who have recent travel history to Indonesia or the Philippines within the last 14 days prior to entry will be required to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before departure. Travellers will need to present a valid negative COVID-19 test result as a condition of approval to enter or transfer through Singapore. This requirement will take effect for those arriving in or transferring through Singapore from19 October 2020, 2359 hours. Travellers from Indonesia and the Philippines entering Singapore will still be required to serve a 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities and to take a negative COVID-19 test before the end of their SHN.
Travellers to Bear Costs of COVID-19 Tests and Stay at Dedicated SHN Facilities (updated 1 Oct 2020)
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who last left Singapore before 27 Mar 2020 are not required to pay for their stay at a dedicated SHN facility, but are required to pay for their COVID-19 test when entering Singapore from 1 September 2020. All other travellers have to pay for their stay at a dedicated SHN facility and COVID-19 test, where applicable.
SafeTravel Pass (updated 03 Jun 2020)
In conjunction with Singapore’s move towards Phase One (“Safe Re-opening”) of the post-Circuit Breaker period, Singapore has explored the piloting of fast lane arrangements with a few other countries and regions, with the necessary safeguards in place to ensure public health considerations are addressed. Please refer to this press release for more information.
Travellers from countries/regions under the Green/Fast Lane arrangements must possess a valid SafeTravel Pass in order to travel to Singapore. For more information and updates on SafeTravel Pass, please click here.
Entry Approval Required For All Long-Term Pass Holders (updated 28 Mar 2020)
From 29 March 2020, 2359h, all foreigners holding ICA-issued long-term passes (i.e. Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or Student's Pass (STP), or In-Principle Approval (IPA) letters for LTVP/STP, who plan to enter Singapore from any country must obtain permission from the relevant agency before they commence their journey.
Please refer to this press release for more information. For more updates on Border Control Measures, please click here.
Health Declaration Via The SG Arrival Card E-Service (updated 23 Mar 2020)
From 27 March 2020, 0900h, all travellers arriving in Singapore, including residents [Singapore Citizens (SC), Permanent Residents (PR)], and Long-Term Pass (LTP) holders (Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Work Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass Holders), must submit a health declaration before proceeding with immigration clearance. They will have to do so via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service. The health declaration will be made available before 27 March 2020 as part of the SGAC e-Service, so that travellers who are due to arrive in Singapore after 27 March, 0900 hours, can complete it in advance of their arrival.
Please refer to this press release for more information.