SINGAPORE: All fully vaccinated travellers entering Singapore via air or sea checkpoints will no longer need to take a pre-departure test from Apr 26.
The removal of the pre-departure test requirement also applies to non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below.
The move is the latest in a string of efforts made in recent weeks to relax travel restrictions, including the launch of the Vaccinated Travel Framework on Apr 1 and the removal of the requirement for on-arrival tests.
From May 1, fully vaccinated non-Malaysian work permit holders also no longer need to apply for entry approvals to enter Singapore, said MOH.
This includes non-Malaysian work permit holders holding an in-principle approval in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors.
Though this group currently has to get entry approvals from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), from May 1, they will no longer have to do so.
But they will still need to book a slot at a centre to undergo onboarding upon arrival.
Employers of these workers must use the new Onboard Booking system to secure onboarding slots before their workers arrive in Singapore, MOM said.
This requirement will also be extended to work permit holders from China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan from May 1.
“This simplifies the entry processes through a convenient one-stop service for such employers,” said MOM.
MOH added that entry requirements for non-fully vaccinated travellers remain unchanged.
Non-fully vaccinated travellers aged 13 and above must take a pre-departure test within two days before departure for Singapore, undergo a seven-day stay-home notice, and take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test at the end of the notice.
Non-fully vaccinated Long-Term Pass Holders (LTPHs) and Short-Term Visitors (STVs) aged 13 and above still cannot enter Singapore.
The exception is for LTPHs who are medically ineligible for vaccines, LTPHs and STVs with other valid entry approval such as for compassionate reasons, and LTPHs aged 13 to 17.
All LTPHs aged 13 and above, arriving from Jul 1, will be required to be fully vaccinated to enter Singapore unless they are medically ineligible for vaccines.
This is in light of the “increased availability of vaccines globally for those aged between 13 and 17”, MOH said.
