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3 March 2020
MOM ENTRY APPROVAL AND STAY-HOME NOTICES
EXTENDED TO MORE COUNTRIES In view of the surge in the number of confirmed cases around the world, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce will put in place further precautionary measures to limit the risk that affected regions may pose to Singaporeans. MOM’S ENTRY APPROVAL 2 With effect from 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, MOM will require all work pass holders (including dependants) with travel history to South Korea, northern Italy1, or Iran within the last 14 days and planning to enter/return to Singapore, to obtain MOM’s approval before they commence their journey. This is regardless of the nationality of the work pass holder. The entry approval requirement applies to:
a. Existing work pass holders currently out of Singapore; and b. In-Principle Approval holders who have yet to enter Singapore.
3 Upon arrival in Singapore, all affected work pass holders will be placed on a mandatory 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN). When applying for entry approval, employers will be required to declare to MOM that they have arranged for suitable premises to house these entering/returning employees for the duration of their SHN. 4 Employers are required to apply for entry approval using this online facility. Employers should inform their affected employees (including their dependants) not to make travel plans to Singapore until approval has been received from MOM. The employers will be required to send the MOM approval letter to the employees who will need to show it to the airline staff upon check-in and at the ICA checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore. 5 The entry approval requirement for work pass holders (including dependants) with travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days, remains unchanged. STAY-HOME NOTICE REQUIREMENTS 6 Employers and work pass holders have a joint duty to ensure that the SHN is complied with. Work pass holders who have been put on a SHN shall not leave their place of residence. They should monitor their health closely and seek medical attention immediately if they develop any fever or symptoms of acute respiratory illness such as cough or shortness of breath.
1 Refers to the eight administrative regions: Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Guilia and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
2
7 Work pass holders on SHN can make their own arrangements to procure their daily necessities, such as meals and daily essentials. This could include requesting their house or dormitory mates to help procure these for them or ordering home delivery services. Employers are responsible to ensure that their work pass holders on SHN can obtain meals and other daily essentials. If the work pass holder is unable to make his own arrangements, the employer will have to make the necessary arrangements. If support from employers is not forthcoming, work pass holders should report their difficulties to MOM. 8 MOM will not hesitate to take enforcement measures against errant employers or employees who do not comply with the requirements set out above, including the revocation of work passes and withdrawal of work pass privileges. PRECAUTIONARY TESTING FOR ALL SYMPTOMATIC WORK PASS HOLDERS ENTERING/RETURNING TO SINGAPORE 9 With effect from 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, work pass holders (including dependants) entering/returning to Singapore and exhibiting fever and/or other symptoms of respiratory illness 2 may be required to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the checkpoint. They may carry on with their journey immediately after undergoing the test. However, pending the results, which may take between three and six hours, they are advised to minimise contact with others as a precautionary measure. Individuals will be contacted on their swab test results and those with positive results will be conveyed to the hospital in a dedicated ambulance. 10 Work pass holders (including dependants) who refuse testing may have their immigration facilities and work pass privileges revoked or the validity shortened. Those who do not comply with the testing or who cannot be contacted subsequently may face penalties and can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act. 11 Employers are advised to inform their work pass holders who are overseas that they may be required to undergo a swab test when they enter or return to Singapore. FURTHER ADVISORY 12 Employers and employees should closely monitor COVID-19-related developments and comply with both the travel and health advisories on the MOH website. Employees are urged to cooperate with their employers. 13 As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, there may be additional requirements imposed on work pass holders from time to time. While MOM will publicise these requirements widely, it may not be possible to inform every employer or employee directly about each new set of requirements. Employers and employees are strongly advised to check the MOM’s website (http://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19) for the latest advisories. 14 For further queries or clarifications, please contact: a. Ministry of Manpower MOM Contact Centre
2 Those who meet MOH’s clinical suspect case definition will be conveyed directly to the hospital.
3
Online Enquiry via this link: www.mom.gov.sg/feedback Website: www.mom.gov.sg b. Ministry of Health MOH Emergency Line, Tel: (65) 1800 333 9999 Online Enquiry via this link: https://crms.moh.gov.sg/mohfeedback.aspx Website: www.moh.gov.sg
<End of Release> For media queries, please contact Jon Nio Assistant Director Corporate Communications Department DID: 6499 6008 HP: 9296 2662 Email: [email protected]
3RD MAR 2020In view of the surge in the number of con�rmed cases around the world – in particular in Iran, northernItaly[1], Japan and Republic of Korea – the Multi-Ministry Taskforce will put in place furtherprecautionary measures to limit the risk that these a�ected regions may pose to Singapore.
2. As of 3 March 2020, 12pm, there were 90,689 con�rmed cases of COVID-19 globally, including10,538 cases outside mainland China. The Republic of Korea has reported 4,812 cases, an increase of600 cases in the last day. There were 1,835 cases reported in Italy, mostly in its northern region. Iranhas reported 1,501 cases, an increase of 523 cases in the last day, and Japan has con�rmed 268 cases.
3. The Taskforce is monitoring the situation closely. It will continue to take a calibrated and risk-based approach in determining the appropriate precautions and measures for Singapore. In the daysahead, it is likely that we will see a surge of infected cases in countries around the world, including inAmerica, Europe, the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Singapore is a small, globally-connected city-state, and we are faced with a higher risk of imported cases.
Additional precautions for outgoing and incoming travellers
4. To protect Singaporeans, the Taskforce will put in place additional precautions for outgoingand incoming travelers.
5. In particular, Singaporeans are advised to defer non-essential travel to Iran, northern Italy,Japan and the Republic of Korea. Singaporeans should note that the Ministry of Foreign A�airs’advisory issued on 8 January 2020 against travelling to or remaining in Iran due to rising tensions in theMiddle East remains in place.
6. As the situation will continue to evolve, Singapore residents who need to travel to the a�ectedregions are advised to regularly check the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) website for updates. Travellersare also advised to stay vigilant, monitor developments and heed the advice of the local authoritieswhile overseas.
7. From 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, all new visitors with recent travel history to Iran, northernItaly or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or transitthrough Singapore. With immediate e�ect, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) willsuspend the issuance of all forms of new visas to those with Iranian passports[2]. Previously issuedshort-term and multiple-visit visas for those with Iranian passports will also be suspended. During thisperiod of suspension, they will not be allowed entry into Singapore.
Ministry of Health (https://www.moh.gov.sg/)
News Highlights (https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights)
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES INRESPONSE TO ESCALATING GLOBAL SITUATION
8. From 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, the following returning groups will be issued with a Stay-Home Notice (SHN):
a) Residents (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) with recent travel history to Iran,northern Italy, or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days; and
b) Long-term pass holders (including work passes, Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass and Long-term Visit Pass) with recent travel history to Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea within the last14 days.
Under the SHN, they will have to remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period afterreturning to Singapore.
Expanded clinical case de�nition
9. MOH has expanded the de�nition of suspect cases to include persons with pneumonia orsevere respiratory infection with breathlessness who had been to Iran, northern Italy, Japan and theRepublic of Korea within 14 days before onset of symptoms. Cases meeting the expanded de�nitionwill be referred to hospitals for further assessment.
Precautionary testing for symptomatic travellers
10. From 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, travellers entering Singapore and exhibiting fever and/orother symptoms of respiratory illness but who do not meet the clinical suspect case de�nition may berequired to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the checkpoint.[3] They may carry on with their journeyimmediately after undergoing the test. Pending the results, which may take between three and sixhours, the travellers are advised to minimise contact with others as a precautionary measure.Individuals will be contacted on their swab test results and those with positive results will be conveyedto the hospital in a dedicated ambulance.
11. Short-term visitors who are identi�ed for testing but refuse to do so will not be allowed entryinto Singapore. Singapore Permanent Residents and long-term pass holders who refuse testing mayhave their immigration facilities and work pass privileges revoked or the validity shortened. Alltravellers, including Singapore Citizens, who do not comply with the testing or who cannot becontacted subsequently may face penalties and can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act.
12. The COVID-19 swab test kit deployed at checkpoints allows us to test beyond persons who arereferred to hospitals, and extend testing to lower-risk symptomatic travellers as an addedprecautionary measure. This additional testing capability deployed upfront at checkpoints furtherincreases our likelihood of detecting imported cases at the point of entry. As with any test, a negativeresult does not completely rule out the possibility of infection. As such, symptomatic travellers with anegative test result should continue to minimise social contact and seek medical attention shouldsymptoms not improve over the next three days.
Preparing ahead
13. The additional precautions we are taking will help to reduce the risk of imported cases inSingapore. But the virus is spreading quickly around the world, and there are likely to be manyundetected cases in countries that are not undertaking proactive testing. So we will be exposed to newwaves of infection, and increasingly it will not be possible to stop the virus at our borders. We alsocannot isolate Singapore and shut ourselves from the world. So despite our best e�orts, we have to beprepared for new spikes in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, as has happened elsewhere.
14. We will therefore have to redouble our e�orts within Singapore. All of us have a role to play.The Government will continue to put in resources to detect and isolate all cases of infection, as well asidentify and quarantine their close contacts so as to break the chain of infection. Individuals will needto continue with practices that have proven e�ective in reducing the spread of infectious diseases.These include:
• Staying home when unwell and during the period covered by medical certi�cates;• Practising good personal hygiene such as washing hands regularly with soap and water, andnot touching the face unnecessarily; and• Cleaning up after oneself at hawker centres and not sharing utensils.
These need to become part of our daily life permanently. Such habits will enable us to resist infectionslike COVID-19, while going about our daily lives normally as much as possible.
[1] Refers to eight administrative regions in northern Italy: Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy,Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.[2] Travellers from Italy and the Republic of Korea do not require visas to visit Singapore.[3] Travellers who meet the clinical suspect case de�nition will be conveyed directly to the hospital.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH3 MARCH 2020
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Last Updated on 03 Mar 2020
CAAS Circular 2020/9 3 March 2020
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR FLIGHT AND CABIN CREW IN RESPONSE TO ESCALATING GLOBAL COVID-19 SITUATION
In view of the surge in the number of confirmed cases around the world – in particular in Iran, northern Italy and the Republic of Korea – the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) will put in place further precautionary measures to limit the risk that these affected regions may pose to Singapore. Please refer to MOH’s press release in Annex A. (Note: Northern Italy refers to the following eight administrative regions in Italy: Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.) 2 In line with MOH’s directive, the following measures will apply to flight and cabin crew of all airlines with effect from 4 March 2020, 2359 hours:
a. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or long-term pass holders, with travel history to Iran, northern Italy, or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days, who enter Singapore, will be issued a Stay-Home Notice.
b. Those, who are not Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or long-term
pass holders, with travel history to Iran, northern Italy, or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days, will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or transit through Singapore.
3 Flight and cabin crew who have fever and/or other symptoms of respiratory illness may be subject to a COVID-19 swab test upon entering Singapore. Please refer to Annex A for more details. 4 All airlines must ensure full compliance with the measures in force, including those contained in previous CAAS circulars. Alan Foo Director (Flight Standards) Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore [no signature required]
CAAS Circular 2020/8
3 March 2020
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR PASSENGERS
IN RESPONSE TO ESCALATING GLOBAL COVID-19 SITUATION
In view of the surge in the number of confirmed cases around the world – in
particular in Iran, northern Italy and the Republic of Korea – the Singapore Ministry of
Health (MOH) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will put in place further precautionary
measures to limit the risk that these affected regions may pose to Singapore.
(Note: Northern Italy refers to the following eight administrative regions in Italy: Aosta
Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.)
Additional Precautions for Incoming Travellers
2 With effect from 4 March 2020, 2359 hours:
a. All new visitors with travel history to Iran, northern Italy, or the Republic of
Korea within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore or
transit through Singapore.
b. Returning residents (SCs and PRs) and long-term pass holders (other
than work pass holders) with travel history to Iran, northern Italy, or the
Republic of Korea within the last 14 days will be issued with a Stay-
HomeNotice (SHN).
c. Returning work pass holders1 (including dependants) with travel history to
Iran, northern Italy, or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days will be
required to show the MOM approval letter to the airline staff at checkin at
the point of departure, and at the ICA2 checkpoint upon arrival in
Singapore, to gain entry into Singapore. Upon entry, they will be issued a
SHN.
1 Refers to holders any of the following passes issued by MOM: Employment Pass, EntrePass, Personalised
Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Training Employment Pass, Work Holiday Pass, Dependant’s Pass,
Long Term Visit Pass.
2 Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
3 With immediate effect, ICA will suspend the issuance of all forms of new visas
to those with Iranian passports3. Previously issued short-term and multiple-
visit visas for those with Iranian passports will also be suspended. During this
period of suspension, they will not be allowed entry into Singapore.
Precautionary Testing for Symptomatic Travellers
4 From 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, travellers entering Singapore who have fever
and/or other symptoms of respiratory illness may be required to undergo a
COVID-19 swab test upon arrival. They may carry on with their journey
immediately after undergoing the test, and will be contacted on their swab test
results. Those with positive results will be conveyed to the hospital in a
dedicated ambulance.
5 Short-term visitors, who refuse to undergo the test, will be denied entry into
Singapore. Permanent Residents and long-term pass holders, who refuse
testing, may have their immigration facilities and work pass privileges revoked,
or the validity shortened. Travellers, including Singapore Citizens, who do not
comply with the testing or who cannot be contacted after the test, may face
penalties and can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act.
6 Please refer to the press releases by MOH and MOM attached as Annexes A
and B for more details.
7 All airlines must ensure full compliance with the measures in force, including
screening of passengers’ recent travel history, at the point of departure for all flights
to Singapore. The information on the additional precautionary measures will be
updated in the IATA Timatic service.
8 Existing Not-To-Land (NTL) policies and procedures will apply for passengers
who are denied entry into Singapore or transit through Singapore.
9 CAAS will continue to monitor the developments and work closely with the
relevant stakeholders to provide timely updates to the aviation community. Any
queries on the above measures will be addressed at the briefing scheduled at 10am
on 4 March 2020 at Changi Airport Terminal 2 Level 3, RHA (behind SORA, Nando’s).
Margaret Tan
Director (Airport Economic Regulation & Aviation Security)
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
3 Travellers from Italy and the Republic of Korea do not require visas to visit Singapore.
[no signature required]
