Local citizens and PRs have to pass pre-departure testing requirement before entering or transiting through Singapore

Prior to this, pre-departure testing was only applicable to long-term pass holders and short-term visitors entering the Republic.

Starting 29 May 2021, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) requires all Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) to pass a pre-departure testing before entering or transiting through Singapore.

Travellers who arrive in Singapore without a valid negative test result may be denied entry. Pre-departure test refers to the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Prior to this announcement, the test was only imposed on all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore—not the SCs and PRs. The latter group was only required to go through an on-arrival PCR test before quarantined at a dedicated Stay-Home Notice (SHN) facility.

“In recent weeks,” MOH said in a press release, “the global situation has worsened, and we have observed the emergence of new and potentially more infectious variants.”

“To manage the risk of imported cases and onward transmission within our community, we will be updating our pre-departure testing requirements.”

With pre-departure testing, travellers who arrive in Singapore without a valid negative test result may be denied entry into Singapore. Likewise for the PRs and long-term pass holders.

A point to note: the testing is, however, not required for travellers who have stayed in lower-risk countries and regions, like Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Brunei, throughout the last 21 days before departure for Singapore.

The ministry also advised that travellers visit SafeTravel, a website to facilitate safe travel arrangements in Singapore, to check for the most updated border measures before entering the country.

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