As Singapore continues the journey towards Phase Three, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) will continue to build on efforts to enable the public and businesses to resume normal activities as much as possible, within safe limits. This includes reopening the borders safely, increasing the accessibility of COVID-19 testing, and enhancing contact tracing measures.

Reopening borders safely through risk-managed controls and testing protocols

Reopening Singapore’s borders safely is essential to safeguard our aviation hub status which is important to protect our jobs and local economy. This is also critical to support Singapore’s social and community needs, such as allowing families to reunite.

Adopting a risk-managed approach in border control measures

To minimise the impact on public health, a risk-managed approach will be adopted. 

Implementing pre-departure testing for inbound travelers

Travellers who are not Singapore Citizens (SCs) or Permanent Residents (PRs) and who have a recent travel history to India, Indonesia and the Philippines must present a valid negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to enter or transfer through Singapore.

From 17 November 2020 2359 hours, all inbound travellers who are not SCs or PRs, except those from lower-risk countries/regions, will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departure. They will still be required to serve their SHN upon arrival in Singapore and be tested at the end of their SHN.

As the global situation changes, Singapore’s border measures will evolve accordingly. To check for the latest updates on travel, you may visit: safetravel.ica.gov.sg. All travellers will be subject to the prevailing border measures upon entry, including staying in dedicated SHN facilities at the traveller’s cost, where applicable. 

Reopening community safely with enhanced testing, safe management and contact tracing

As Singapore progressively re-opens our borders and resumes more social and economic activities in Phase Three, it is expected that the number of cases will increase. This makes it critical to double down on surveillance and testing efforts to reduce further spread of COVID-19 and maintain the strong set of safe management measures and the comprehensive test-trace-isolate system. 

Making COVID-19 testing more accessible

COVID-19 testing will be made more accessible for all.

From 30 November 2020 2359hrs, any company or individual who requires a PCR test will be able to procure such services from approved providers. This includes individuals who require pre-departure testing. Individuals will no longer be required to seek approval from MOH for pre-departure tests.

There are currently around 600 clinics and providers that can provide PCR testing. The list can be found on go.gov.sg/covid19pcrtestproviders. For laboratories, clinics and swab service providers who are interested to provide such COVID-19 testing services offsite, application can be completed here: go.gov.sg/offsitecovid19swab. The MTF will continue to increase the number of clinics and providers who can administer the COVID-19 PCR tests.

Pilots are also conducted on pre-event testing using antigen rapid tests (ARTs) to enable more large-scale and higher-risk activities to resume in a safer manner. There will be more pilots for different workflows in different settings, and more details will be provided on requirements for pre-event testing when ready.

Contact Tracing

To quickly identify and isolate close contacts of any COVID-positive person, everyone is encouraged to download and use the TT App or collect a TT Token for use at TT-only SE (ToS) premises, when ToS is implemented. ToS will only be enforced after everyone who prefers to use the TT Token has had the chance to collect one at a Community Centre/Club in their constituency. 

Venues required to enforce SE check-ins for all its public customers and visitors are also progressively implementing the Token check-in method. The MTF will work with venues to implement these SE check-ins for TT Token users to facilitate a smooth transition to ToS later.

Ensuring access to vaccines when available

Singapore has been actively monitoring the global progress in COVID-19 vaccine development and has taken steps to secure and improve chances to gain access for residents here amidst expected strong global demand.

1. Global collaboration under COVAX: Singapore is a strong supporter and active participant in driving the work of the global COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility. This enables countries to pool risk and resources to gain accelerated access to a portfolio of vaccines from different vaccine developers. 

2. Diversification of vaccine portfolio: Singapore is working to secure multiple COVID-19 vaccines through the diversification of vaccine portfolio with a number of pharmaceutical companies. 

3. Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination: MOH has set up the committee to closely monitor the vaccine clinical trials data as they become available globally, to advise on the suitability, safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and to recommend the vaccination approach for the different segments of our population. Only vaccines that are assessed to be relatively safe and efficacious will be offered to the relevant population segments. 

Read more: www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/safeguarding-lives-and-livelihoods