COVID-19: Singapore Reopening of Travel and Changes to Border Measures

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has announced plans for a progressive reopening of  Singapore’s economy and society as it emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The taskforce has also been reviewing the border measures put in place to manage the risks of importation, and will likewise be implementing progressive changes as the borders reopen to international travel. These include ongoing discussions with various countries/regions on developing bilateral arrangements for safe travel, and allowing more Long Term Pass holders still outside Singapore to return.

The testing regime will apply to all travelers entering Singapore from 17 June 2020, 11:59 pm. It is an additional precautionary measure to detect the virus, especially given the risks of asymptomatic cases. The test will be scheduled a few days before the end of the Stay Home Notice (SHN) period, at a designated community testing facility. Each person under SHN will receive information on the scheduled appointment slot and venue via an SMS notification. They will have to travel from their place of residence to the designated testing facility.

The charges for COVID-19 test for people under SHN: up to S$200, or approximately $143 (inclusive of GST)

A 14-day stay at a dedicated SHN facility: S$2,000, or approximately $1,430 (inclusive of GST)

For a start, all travelers entering Singapore from 17 June 2020, 11:59 pm, and who had remained in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry will no longer have to serve their SHN at dedicated SHN facilities:

• Singapore citizens and permanent residents may serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence.
• Long Term Pass holders may serve their 14-day SHN at a place of residence that they or their family members own or are sole tenants of; or in suitable accommodation such as a hotel, at their own cost.
• All persons under SHN must remain in their place of residence at all times. They will be subject to close monitoring of their whereabouts, through electronic monitoring as well as physical spot-checks. Strict enforcement action will be taken against those who breach the requirements of the SHN.
• All other travelers entering Singapore will continue to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, for now.
• All Long Term Pass holders will continue to require prior approval before entering Singapore. It is expected to be able to facilitate the reentry of more Long Term Pass holders in the coming weeks.
• For now, short-term visitors are not allowed yet, except those coming in under the Green/Fast Lane arrangements (starting with China, and eventually covering more countries/regions), or with special prior approval.

All Singaporeans and residents of Singapore are still advised to defer all travel abroad. However, essential business and official travel will be permitted under Green/Fast Lane arrangements.

Links to Latest Updates:

Gradual Re-Opening of Travel and Changes to Border Measures

Return to Work Resources

We have developed many customizable resources to support employers’ efforts in safely returning to work. These include tracking of state and local orders on return to work requirements and essential/nonessential work; policy templates and guidelines for key topics such as social distancing procedures, temperature testing, and workplace arrangements for high-risk employees; and webinar training on safety measures for return to work. View the full list of return to work resources and consult our workplace reopening checklist.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Task Force

For our clients, we have formed a multidisciplinary Coronavirus COVID-19 Task Force to help guide you through the broad scope of legal issues brought on by this public health challenge. Find resources on how to cope with the post-pandemic reality on our NOW. NORMAL. NEXT. page and our COVID-19 page to help keep you on top of developments as they unfold. If you would like to receive a daily digest of all new updates to the page, please subscribe now to receive our COVID-19 alerts, and download our biweekly COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium.

CONTACTS

If you have any questions or would like more information on the issues discussed in this LawFlash, please contact any of the following Morgan Lewis lawyers:

Beijing
K Lesli Ligorner

Washington, DC
Shannon A. Donnelly