Shawn Tan
From Thursday, September 17, visitors who have travelled to India in the past 14 days will be required to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test 72 hours before they depart for Singapore. Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents are exempted. This is the first time any travel to India requires a COVID-19 test.
To be allowed entry into Singapore, these visitors will have to present a valid negative COVID-19 test result first.
The negative test result requirement will apply on top of the existing requirements, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). These include a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities and a negative COVID-19 test before the end of their Stay-Home Notice.
The ministry said that these enhanced measures are in light of reports of a resurgence in infections from India. Singapore has also observed a significant number of imported cases with recent travel history to India.
Also read: How Singapore Is Eliminating COVID-19 and What Other Countries Can Learn From Them
Just last week in Parliament, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that travellers from India formed the bulk of the imported cases (183 out of 292 cases) from April to August this year.
“As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures to manage the risk of importation and any onward transmission to the community,” said the ministry.
“Travellers planning to enter Singapore should be prepared to be subjected to the prevailing border measures upon entry, including payment for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities and tests, where applicable.”
The pre-departure test requirement will take effect from September 17, 12am. For those who plan to travel to India, a COVID-19 test awaits you.
