From 11.59pm on December 23 till further notice, all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the UK within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or transit through Singapore.
This will also apply to all those who had obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore.
The measure is in response to recent reports of a potentially more contagious strain of the COVID-19 virus circulating in the UK.
Ministry of Health (MOH) noted that officials within the UK are also concerned about this new virus and have put in place more stringent restrictions, including imposing a new lockdown in London. "To reduce the risk of spread to Singapore, we are putting in place new border restrictions for travellers from UK for further precaution," MOH said.
Returning Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Singapore, at the start of their 14-day SHN.
MOH added that while the strain has been suggested to be more transmissible, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine if this strain is associated with any change in disease severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy.
Singapore's health authorities will evaluate the data as it emerges and review our border measures accordingly.