Singapore To Allow Travellers From Malaysia With More Relaxed Restrictions
Malaysia has been upgraded to Category III by Singapore based on vaccination rates.
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Starting from Wednesday 27 October, travellers from Malaysia can now enter Singapore on more lenient terms with reduced tests and a Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) at their declared place of residence or accommodation.
Singapore Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) says it is regardless of the travellers’ and their household members’ vaccination status and travel history.
The news comes after Malaysia upgraded from Category IV to Category III by Singapore as part of its regular review of the Covid-19 situation.
Loosened testing procedures
Category III travellers are no longer required to undergo an on-arrival Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, nor will they need additional Antigen Rapid Test (ARTs) on the 3rd and 7th days of their arrival, during their SHN.
Instead, they will only need to take a PCR test at the end of their SHN.
Travellers will still however need to do a pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test within 48 hours before departure to Singapore.
Flexible SHN option
When Malaysia was still in Category IV, they would have to serve a 10-day SHN at a dedicated facility that would cost typically $1,450 (~RM4,500) per person.
With the upgrade to Category III, travellers can now serve their SHN at an accommodation of their choice.
The only requirement is to occupy the accommodation alone, or with household members who are also serving SHN with the same travel history.
MTF notes travellers residing with unvaccinated vulnerable people are strongly encouraged to isolate and minimise contact with each other.
Private transport to their accommodation is enforced, and taking public transportation such as bus and train is strictly prohibited.
As per Singapore rules, travellers must always remain in their declared place of accommodation and an electronic monitoring device will also be issued throughout their SHN.
Category III countries
Besides Malaysia, other Category III countries include Cambodia, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Mongolia, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, South Africa, Tonga, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Vietnam.
The categories are based on vaccination rates after Singapore started classifying countries or regions based on that in August this year.
Higher vaccination rates provide a foundation for the country to introduce vaccination-differentiated border measures for travellers.
As of Friday (22 October), Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation has improved significantly with 94.4% of the adult population having completed their Covid-19 vaccination.
For more information and the latest updates about travel to Singapore, visit https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg.
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