No Singaporeans have been directly affected or injured by the Hong Kong protests since early June 2019, said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Only 20% of S'poreans in HK e-registered with MFA

Speaking in Parliament on Aug. 6, Vivian informed the House that there were 15,000 Singaporeans currently in Hong Kong.

Vivian added that about one-fifth of them have e-registered their travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

The e-registration is a means for the MFA to reach out to local citizens regarding any travel advisory and providing updated information or "for them to seek assistance from MFA", says Vivian.

He continued that Singaporeans who require consular assistance in Hong Kong at any time should get in touch with the MFA, and urged all Singaporeans travelling overseas to e-register with them.

Singaporeans should have comprehensive travel insurance

Vivian also pointed out in Parliament that all Singaporeans should have comprehensive travel insurance when they travel overseas, on top of e-registering with MFA.

He addressed that Singaporeans currently residing or visiting Hong Kong should take the necessary precautions, stay vigilant, observe local laws, and monitor developments through the local media and regular updates from the Singapore Consular General in Hong Kong.

“The MFA has advised Singaporeans to avoid areas where protests are expected to take place. Singaporeans must be mindful that protests, even if they are meant to be peaceful in nature may sometimes turn violent with little or no notice.”

More than 200 flights were cancelled due to the citywide strikes in Hong Kong on Monday, 5 August 2019.

Read more about the Hong Kong protests this week:

Cover photo collage via govsingapore/YT, @ayanchiu/Twitter