Advisory on COVID-19 for Visitors and Tourism Businesses

14 July 2020

Since the start of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) outbreak, the Singapore Government has implemented a series of measures to reduce the risk of imported cases and slow the transmission of the virus. Singapore’s borders are now re-opening gradually to allow safe travel in limited numbers, with the necessary safeguards in place to ensure public health considerations are addressed.

General Advisory for Visitors

1. Short-term visitors are not allowed entry into Singapore, except those coming in under the Green/Fast Lane arrangements or with special prior approval. Singapore has also ceased port calls for all cruise vessels.

China

2. Visitors from China are allowed entry into Singapore for essential visits, via the “fast lane” that has been established between selected Chinese provinces and Singapore. Residents in China seeking to make essential business or official travel to Singapore via the fast lane must be sponsored by either a company or a Singapore Government agency, obtain approval, and meet other requirements before entering Singapore. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass holders returning to Singapore from China must also comply with a set of requirements. More information on the requirements for the Singapore-China Fast Lane can be found here.

Malaysia

3. Singapore and Malaysia are working towards the targeted implementation of the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) from 10 August 2020. The RGL will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries. The PCA will allow Singapore and Malaysia residents, who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other countries, to enter that country for work. Eligible travellers will have to abide by the prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries. The requirements, health protocols and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore will be published 10 days prior to the implementation of the RGL and PCA. More information on the two schemes can be found here.

4. Singapore is also in ongoing discussions with various countries and regions on developing bilateral arrangements for safe travel. We will continue to update our border measures, taking into account our understanding of the virus and developments in other countries and regions.

5. Singapore residents, long-term pass holders and visitors seeking to enter Singapore can check the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) websites for updates on the COVID-19 situation in Singapore and border control measures in relation to COVID-19.

6. If you are in Singapore, please do your part by practising good personal hygiene, monitor your own health and follow appropriate safe management measures. 

General Advisory for Tourism Businesses

Travel Arrangements

1. All Singaporeans and residents of Singapore are advised to defer all travel abroad. However, essential business and official travel will be permitted under Green/ Fast Lane arrangements[1].

Gradual resumption of business activities

2. Singapore is gradually re-opening its economy in phases. Most activities have resumed, subject to the following safe distancing principles:

a. As a default, measures should be put in place to ensure that individuals maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times

b. Where not feasible or practical to apply one metre safe distancing between individuals, this one metre requirement can instead be enforced between groups, with each group made up of not more than five persons, and with no mixing between groups. Other safe management measures should also be in place.

3. The resumption of activities or settings where large numbers of people are likely to come into close contact, often in enclosed spaces and for prolonged periods of time, will take more time. Such activities include large-scale events (e.g. conferences, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, sporting events, trade fairs) and entertainment venues.

4. Businesses must also comply with the Safe management Measures outlined in https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg/safemanagement/general (“Safe Management Requirements”) and any sector-specific requirements which apply to them. These requirements include the staggering of working and break hours, ensuring clear physical spacing of at least 1 metre between persons, and implementing SafeEntry to record the entry of all personnel and visitors. Strict checks will be conducted, and businesses that do not provide a safe workplace for our workers will have their operations suspended until they are able to do so.

Re-opening of tourism businesses

5. Tourism businesses in Singapore have resumed operations in stages since 1 July. For the list of tourism businesses that are permitted to resume, please visit https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en/home-pages/permitted-tourism-businesses.html.

6. Operators must demonstrate effective implementation of safe management measures to provide a safe environment for customers and workers, and may resume operations only after receiving approval from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). These proposals must include safe management measures that are tailored to reduce the COVID-19 transmission risks.

7. For more information on the gradual reopening of tourism establishments and full list of requirements, please see STB’s press release and sector-specific advisories.

8. As the situation develops, please visit the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Manpower websites for the latest updates. You may also refer to the list of FAQs that we have developed for the tourism industry.

9. The health and safety of Singaporeans, visitors and those who work in the tourism industry are STB’s priority, and we thank you for your continued support and understanding.

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