Travellers with a recent travel history to ASEAN Countries, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom within the last 14-days will be issued a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN).
This measure will apply to Singapore residents, long-term pass holders, and short-term visitors.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong gave the update on 15 March 2020 at the National Press Centre.
Those issued with the notice must also provide proof of the place where they have served the SHN, which could be at a hotel or a place of residence that they or their family members own.
Those coming back from these countries must also be swab-tested for an infection, even if asymptomatic. Persons who are on SHN will have to remain in their place of residence at all times.
“Besides those returning from overseas, we’ve also had a number of cases from ASEAN countries, from our neighbours, including a few that came with a specific purpose of seeking medical care here. And it is really hard for us to cope with this additional number. During this critical period, our healthcare resources are already stretched,” said Mr Wong.
The additional border restrictions will take effect from 16 March 2020, 11.59pm.
The SHN will not apply to travellers transiting in Singapore without leaving the transit area.
However, the measures will not apply to sea and land crossings with Malaysia, such as the Causeway.
“We have to put in place some special considerations for Malaysia, because of the proximity and high-dependency between the two countries. If you were to impose a 14-day requirement [for crossing in and out of Malaysia] then it would be very difficult and disruptive for both our countries,” said Mr Wong.
He added that due to the volume of both Malaysians and Singaporeans who cross the border daily, a 14-day requirement would not be practical or feasible. About 350,000 people cross the Causeway that links Malaysia to Singapore every day.
In addition to the SHN requirement, all short-term visitors who are ASEAN nationals will have to submit information on their health to the Singapore Overseas Mission in their home country before their intended date of travel.
The submission will have to be approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) before travelling to Singapore. Those without the necessary approval will be denied entry into Singapore.
Singaporeans are also advised to defer all non-essential travel abroad. This advisory will apply for 30 days, said MOH.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also announced new measures for foreign domestic workers entering Singapore.
From 16 March 2020 at 11.59pm, MOM will require all employers and employment agencies (EAs) planning for their foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to enter Singapore, to obtain MOM’s approval before they commence their journey.
This applies to all new FDWs and returning FDWs travelling to Singapore from any country.
Upon arrival in Singapore, FDWs will be placed on a mandatory 14-day SHN.
All new incoming FDWs must serve their SHN at an alternative accommodation such as dormitories, hostels or hotels before they can be deployed for employment.
For FDWs returning from overseas, their employers can arrange for them to serve the SHN in the employer’s residential address, or alternative accommodation.
MOM added that it will provide an assistance package to support Singapore citizen or permanent resident employers who are affected by the SHN requirements.
Employers can apply for $60 support daily per affected FDW and have their levy waived during the SHN period.
Employers will be eligible for the assistance package if the FDW does not serve her SHN at the employers’ registered residential address.
Employers can apply for the assistance and levy waiver within 90 days after the FDW has completed her SHN. More details on the application process will be provided at a later date, added MOM.
