Singapore allows travellers from China and Victoria State to enter upon negative PCR test

Singapore will lift its border restrictions for visitors from Mainland China and Victoria State (Australia) from 12am, 6 November 2020, announced the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

From 12pm (SGT) today (30 October 2020), visitors travelling from Mainland China and Victoria State (Australia) can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into Singapore on or after 6 November 2020.

Note: According to CAAS, 'visitors' refer to foreign travellers who are not Singapore Citizens (SC), Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) or Singapore Long-Term Pass (LTP) Holders. SC, PRs and LTP holders are not required to apply for an ATP. However, LTP holders will need to apply for an Approval Letter for Entry.

Applicants must have remained in either Mainland China or Australia in the last 14 consecutive days prior to their entry. They will undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at the airport and if the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore, without a need to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

At the same time, from 12am, 6 November 2020, SCs, PRs, and LTP holders returning from Mainland China and Victoria State (Australia) will not need to serve SHN if their COVID-19 PCR test result is negative upon arrival.

CAAS will also update the travel advisory to allow travel to Mainland China and all of Australia. Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements imposed by these countries and take the necessary precautionary measures.

This decision comes on the back of both regions displaying successful control over the spread of the COVID-19 virus over the last 28 days. With Mainland China and Victoria State (Australia) having a virus local incidence rate of 0.00009 and 0.099 per 100,000 respectively, the risk of importation from these places is low, noted CAAS.

The initiative follows the earlier lifting of border restrictions for visitors from Australia (excluding Victoria State), Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand and Vietnam. As of 12pm, 29 October 2020, Singapore has approved 1,375 applications from these places, and received 602 visitors. None of the visitors tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival.

ATP applicants to comply with four conditions of travel 

To protect public health in Singapore, ATP applicants must comply with the following conditions of travel:

• Travel history - They must have spent the last 14 consecutive days in Mainland China or Australia before departing for Singapore. All visitors must travel to Singapore on direct flights without transit.
• Post-arrival COVID-19 testing - Upon arrival in Singapore, visitors must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test at the airport. The test results will be out within 48 hours, and typically within 12 hours. After taking the COVID-19 PCR test, visitors are to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation. They must remain isolated at the accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative. Checks will be made to ensure that this is adhered to. After being notified of their negative test results, visitors will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.
  • Note: The accommodation must be non-residential and must be an individual room with an attached toilet.
• Contact tracing - To facilitate the contact tracing process, visitors must download and register for the TraceTogether app on their mobile devices prior to departing for Singapore, keep it activated during their stay here, and not delete it for 14 consecutive days after leaving Singapore. Should they subsequently test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days after leaving Singapore, they will be required to upload data in the app upon request by the Singapore Ministry of Health.
• Medical costs - Visitors must be responsible for their medical bills related to COVID-19 while in Singapore. This includes costs related to tests and isolation imposed on visitors for public health reasons should they be suspected of being infected with COVID-19, as well as medical treatment for COVID-19.

Visitors can apply for the single-entry ATP, at no charge, between seven and thirty calendar days prior to their intended date of entry into Singapore. 

To expedite the COVID-19 PCR test at the airport, all passengers travelling from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Mainland China, New Zealand and Vietnam are strongly encouraged to register and pre-pay for their post-arrival COVID-19 PCR test prior to departing for Singapore. 

Photo / 123RF

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