Following the surge of COVID-19 infections in India in recent days, border measures will be tightened for travellers who will have to serve an additional seven days stay-home notice at their residence following their 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facilities, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) today.
"Travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents and who have recent travel history to India 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 have to present a valid negative COVID-19 test result as part of pre-boarding checks to enter Singapore," the MOH stated in a press release.
The stay-home notice period for travellers from Hong Kong will be reduced from 14 days to seven days, and can be served at their place of residence "if suitable", said MOH in a press release.
These changes will be in force from Thursday, April 22 at 11.59pm.
“Given the worsening situation in India, and emergence of new virus variants, we will tighten border measures for travellers from India by reducing entry approvals for non-Singapore citizens or permanent residents, and subjecting all travellers arriving from India to an additional seven-day stay home notice at their place of residence, following their 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated stay-home notice facilities from Apr 22, 2021, 11.59pm,” said MOH.
The travellers will be tested for COVID-19 at the end of the initial 14-day SHN and at the end of the additional seven-day SHN.
In view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, international airline operations remain suspended, except for international repatriation flights under the India’s Vande Bharat Mission, the MOH stated.
The world's second most populous country is grappling with its biggest public health emergency after it lowered its guard when coronavirus infections fell to a multi-month low in February, health experts and officials say.