Tighter border measures for travellers on Business Travel Pass scheme

THE multi-ministry task force on Tuesday announced that Singapore will be tightening border measures for travellers from Vietnam as well as those on the Business Travel Pass (BTP) scheme. Meanwhile, border measures for travellers from New South Wales (NSW), Australia, will be adjusted, given the improvement in the state's Covid-19 situation.

Travellers on the BTP scheme will now be required to undergo Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on the third, seventh and 14th day of their return. An additional serology test will also be required on day three. Additionally, travellers are to avoid events with more than eight attendees within 14 days of returning to Singapore, said the task force in a statement.

The BTP scheme, which was introduced last June, facilitates essential business travel for senior executives based in Singapore with regional or international responsibilities who need to travel regularly for work.

Currently, they are required to abide by a strict controlled itinerary when travelling. Returning BTP travellers will undergo an on-arrival PCR test in lieu of the stay-home notice (SHN), and are isolated in a single location until they obtain a negative result for their on-arrival test.

Following the increase in Covid-19 cases observed in Vietnam, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders entering Singapore with travel history to Vietnam within the last 14 days will now be subject to an on-arrival PCR test, 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and a PCR test before the end of the SHN period.

Travellers who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents will need to take the PCR test within 72 hours before departure. They will still be required to undergo an on-arrival test and serve their SHN upon arrival, and be tested at the end of the SHN. Short-term travellers holding an air travel pass (ATP) with travel history to Vietnam within the last 14 days, will not be allowed to enter Singapore.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 8.30 am

SGSME

Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips.

Sign Up

These measures take effect from 11.59 pm on Feb 12.

However, the task force added that travellers from Vietnam can instead serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence if they travelled only to Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry to Singapore, and are occupying their place of residence alone or only with household members who are also serving their SHN with the same travel history and SHN duration.

On the other hand, given the improvement in the Covid-19 situation in NSW, border measures for travellers from the state have been adjusted.

Starting at 11.59pm on Feb 10, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from NSW will undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the airport in lieu of a seven-day SHN. If the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.

Short-term visitors travelling from NSW can also apply for an ATP for entry into Singapore on or after Feb 16. Similarly, they have to undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the airport in lieu of a seven-day SHN, and if the result is negative, will be allowed to go about their activities here.