The Multi-Ministry Taskforce said in a press conference on 23 October that from 26 October onwards, travellers with a travel history (within the last 14 days) to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will be allowed entry and transition through Singapore.
This effectively means that the travel ban will be lifted for India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
15 countries have also been moved to Category III according to their Covid situation, including Indonesia and Malaysia.
Travellers who have been to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be subjected to the Category IV border measures in Singapore.
All travellers will only be required to undergo one PCR test, from 26 October 11.59pm onwards, after their arrival.
Cat I and Cat II travellers through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) will have their PCR test done on arrival.
While travellers from the Cat II non-VTL, along with Cat III and IV, will no longer need to go through a PCR test on arrival, they are required to served a 7-10 days SHN though, as well as a PCR test at the end of their SHN.
Cat III travellers from Malaysia and Indonesia will serve their SHN at a declared place of residence.
Travelers form Cat IV countries will still need to serve their 10-day SHN at dedicated facilities.
Benefits
Ong highlighted the importance and benefits of opening up the borders, saying:
“We can start to bring in much-needed workers, to complete our BTO projects, to complete various public infrastructure, and other projects that we need.
MOM can start allowing in more domestic workers, to relieve the stress on many families in Singapore.”
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