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From Mar. 4, 23:59 onwards, all new visitors with recent travel history to Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days will not be allowed into Singapore.

They will also not be allowed entry or transit through Singapore.

This and other measures were announced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in light of the growing number of Covid-19 cases in Iran, northern Italy and South Korea.

The following group, on the other hand, will be issued with a Stay-Home Notice (SHN):

• Residents: Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
• Long-term pass holders: Including work passes, student's pass dependant's pass and long-term visit pass.

This group of people will have to remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period after returning to Singapore from Iran, northern Italy, or South Korea.

Expanded clinical case definition

MOH has also expanded the definition of suspect cases.

This would include persons with pneumonia or severe respiratory infection with breathlessness who had been to Iran, northern Italy, Japan and South Korea within 14 days before the onset of symptoms.

Cases meeting the expanded definition will be referred to hospitals for further assessment.

Covid-19 swab test at checkpoint

Travellers entering Singapore and exhibiting fever and/or other symptoms of respiratory illness but who do not meet the clinical suspect case definition may be required to undergo a Covid-19 swab test at the checkpoint.

They are allowed to carry on with their journey after undergoing the test.

They are, however, advised to minimise contact with others after undergoing the test while waiting for the test results.

The test results can take between three to six hours.

All travellers, including Singapore citizens, who do not comply with the testing or cannot be contacted subsequently may face penalties and can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act.

Top image from Shawn Ang via Unsplash.