As of 22 March 2020, COVID-19 has affected 185 countries worldwide. There are more than 260,000 cases, and around 11,200 deaths.
MOH advisory on deferring all travel [updated 22 Mar 2020]
Around 80% of recent cases were imported - most of them by Singapore residents and Long-Term Pass holders returning home from abroad.
These imported cases had travel histories to 22 different countries.
In view of the heightened risk of further importation, MOH on 18 March 2020 advised Singaporeans to defer all travel abroad.
This expansion is to reduce the risk of Singaporeans being infected with the virus when abroad, and spreading it to other Singaporeans when they return.
Singapore Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders who disregard travel advisory [updated 24 Mar 2020]
Any Singapore resident or Long-Term Pass holder who leaves Singapore from 27 March 2020, in disregard of the prevailing travel advisories, will be charged at unsubsidised rates for their inpatient stay at public hospitals, if they are admitted for suspected COVID-19 and have onset of symptoms within 14 days of returning to Singapore.
Singapore residents will also not be able to claim from MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans for these treatments at public and private hospitals.
Any work pass holder or his/her dependant who leaves Singapore from 27 March 2020 will be deprioritised for entry approval and could see significant delays before they are allowed to return to Singapore if they persist in travelling abroad and return infected.
Travel restrictions – 3 types
If you must travel overseas during this period, e.g. for exceptional reasons, check on the latest travel advisories, as well as the entry restrictions of the countries you are travelling to.
Some countries may have restrictions against travellers from Singapore, including those who have been in transit.
Here’s a broad guideline of the type of travel restrictions in place:
1. Deny entry
Some countries deny entry to all foreign visitors who have been in or transited through Singapore within the last 14 days.
2. Allow entry, but subject to quarantine/self-isolation
Some countries may subject foreign visitors who have been in or transited through Singapore to a quarantine or self-isolation period of 14 days upon arrival.
3. Allow entry upon clearing medical screenings
Some countries may only allow entry to visitors from Singapore that have passed through medical screenings at checkpoints, such as temperature screenings or swab tests.
Source: IATA Travel Centre
As travel restrictions may evolve quickly, travellers should check the latest travel restrictions before leaving Singapore.
Here are some recommended websites to check for the latest travel restrictions:
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Country
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Pages by ASEAN Countries |
Pages by Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Brunei |
• Singapore High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan Facebook page |
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Cambodia |
• Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) |
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Indonesia |
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Laos |
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Malaysia |
• Singapore High Commission in Malaysia • Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur’ Telegram Channel |
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Myanmar |
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Philippines |
• Philippine Bureau of Immigration |
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Thailand |
• Thai Ministry of Public Health • The Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore |
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Vietnam |