Immigration update: Singapore | COVID-19 update on new requirements for work pass holders entering Singapore
COVID-19 update – New requirements for work pass holders entering Singapore
Work Pass holders may be required to undergo a COVID-19 swab test upon arrival into Singapore
Who will be affected?
All work pass holders are required to go through a COVID-19 swab test at the port of entry, regardless of the countries they have visited or travelled from.
Pass holders who refuses the testing may have their immigration facilities and work pass privileges revoked or duration shortened.
Non-compliance with the authorities’ requests to do the testing or those who cannot be contacted afterwards may face penalties and prosecution under the Infectious Disease Act.
Implementation
As of 4 March 2020, 23:59hrs, any work pass holders exhibiting fever or other respiratory illness symptoms may be required to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the Immigration checkpoints.
After the test, they will be allowed to enter Singapore and will subsequently be contacted on their swab test results, between 3 and 6 hours from the time of test taken.
Those who display positive results will be sent to the hospital immediately.
Santa Fe Analysis
In lieu of the latest measures rolled out, during the time taken to get the swab test results from the authorities, it is advisable for these work pass holders to minimize contact with others as a precautionary measure.
And in general, as authorities have not stipulated any timeline for the additional measures implemented, affected travellers should refrain from making travel plans to Singapore as much as possible until further advice is received from the relevant government bodies.
For employers, it is advised to keep assignment start dates flexible for affected travellers and also to keep business travels to Mainland China and Republic of Korea to a minimum.
For latest information about the coronavirus, kindly visit the following:
Should you have any questions, please contact:
Ai Leng Chew
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D: +65 6398 3004
M: +65 8921 8803
E: aileng.chew@santaferelo.com
Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
D: +44 7990 021125
Email: Robert.day@santaferelo.com
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