DRSingapore: With COVID-19 spreading to 118 countries worldwide, Singapore has advised travellers to defer all non-essential travel to Mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), and Spain.
MOH has also advised travellers to defer all travel to Hubei Province in Mainland China. Singaporeans are also advised to exercise caution when travelling to all affected countries, especially those which have exported cases (see below).
Countries/Regions with Known and Potential Exported Cases
● Mainland China
● Egypt
● France
● Germany
● Hong Kong
● India
● Italy
● Indonesia
● Iran
● Israel
● Japan
● Malaysia
● Philippines
● Republic of Korea
● Spain
● Thailand
● United Kingdom
● United States
Singapore residents who need to travel to the affected areas are advised to regularly check MOH’s website for updates.
Travellers are also advised to stay vigilant, monitor developments, and heed the advice of local authorities.
Travel restrictions – 3 types
Some countries may have restrictions against travelers 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:
● Ministry of Foreign Affairs
● Your destination country’s foreign ministry or tourism website
● Airlines’ websites
● International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) website
What to do when you come back from your travels
You should monitor your health closely for two weeks upon return to Singapore, and seek medical attention promptly if you feel unwell.
You should inform your doctor of your travel history. If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath), you should wear a mask and call the clinic ahead of the visit.
Travellers and members of the public should adopt the following precautions at all times:
● Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness
● Observe good personal hygiene
● Practise frequent hand washing with soap (e.g. before handling food or eating, after going to toilet, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing)
● Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath
● Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, and dispose the soiled tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately
● Seek medical attention promptly if you are feeling unwell
