share on
"Specifically, we want to guard against importing infectious diseases of concern, such as Yellow Fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola," Minister Ong Ye Kung said.
The SG Arrival Card (SGAC), which most seasoned travellers entering Singapore may be familiar with, will continue to be in place as it helps in disease control. This was the update shared by Singapore's Minister of Health, Ong Ye Kung, as he was asked about a review of this mechanism in Parliament on 6 Feb 2023.
Thanking MP Liang Eng Hwa for raising the query, Minister Ong said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has reviewed its need for data collection at the borders, and has thus decided to implement the digital SG Arrival Card system, for purposes of disease control. "Specifically, we want to guard against importing infectious diseases of concern, such as Yellow Fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola," he noted.
Specifically addressing certain types of transmission, the Minister said travellers who are at risk of yellow fever infection and do not have a valid relevant vaccination certificate are assessed and may be quarantined to protect against the risk of importation of yellow fever in Singapore. He noted this is a "serious matter" because the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector that spreads yellow fever, is present in Singapore.
He also addressed MERS-Coronavirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, saying: "Travellers suspected of being infected can be referred for further medical assessment and isolation if necessary."
Background on SG Arrival Card
The SG Arrival Card replaces the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card that foreign visitors were required to submit upon arrival at Singapore's checkpoints. During the fight against COVID-19, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) included the electronic health declaration function in the SG Arrival Card, which is now required for all travellers to submit both their arrival details and health declaration online before entering Singapore.
All travellers can submit their SG Arrival Card within three days (including the day of arrival) before arriving in Singapore via ICA’s website or MyICA Mobile application, which can be downloaded for free from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
They must re-submit their health declaration if there are changes to their health condition or travel history before arriving in Singapore. Those who make false declarations will be liable for prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act.
It takes less than three minutes for Singapore residents, and approximately five to seven minutes for foreigners to submit the SG Arrival Card. Travellers who do not submit the SG Arrival Card before arrival will be asked to do so and to re-join the queue for immigration clearance.
Due to the high volume of traffic and daily commuting for employment and studies, the only exemptions are for Singapore residents if they are returning to Singapore via the land checkpoints. They will have to do so if they enter Singapore via the sea and air checkpoints.
From when it was first announced, SG Arrival Card system has resulted in a few changes, that are applicable to incoming travellers to Singapore. These are:
- Previously, only foreigners are required to submit health information on a physical card. Now, all travellers are required to submit a health declaration because all travellers are subject to the risk of infectious diseases, not just the foreign travellers.
- Second, the mode of submission was digitalised, making submission more convenient.
- The information required has been streamlined and simplified to only three questions to ascertain the risk of a traveller being infected with the current diseases of concern.
Images / ICA
Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!
share on
