Singapore permits general travel to Brunei and New Zealand

However, travellers are still subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival.

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has allowed general travel to Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand, as well as travel for overseas studies, an announcement revealed.

Travellers from Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand will be subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival, in lieu of a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

Those entering Singapore and travellers who have remained in either Brunei Darussalam or New Zealand in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry will not be required to serve a SHN. Instead, they will undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport and only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore after receiving a negative test result.

Prior to travelling to Singapore, visitors from Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand will also need to apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) between seven and 30 days before their intended date of entry into Singapore. They will be responsible for their medical bills should they require medical treatment for COVID-19 while in Singapore. Application for the ATP will start from 1 September for travel from 8 September.

Returning Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders will not be required to serve SHN and will instead undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival. They are also not mandated to apply for an ATP.

In addition, the government will also reduce the SHN duration from 14 days to seven days for travellers from low risk countries/regions, which are Australia (excluding Victoria), Macao, Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The COVID-19 test will continue to be administered before the end of the seven-day SHN.

Meanwhile, all other incoming travellers will continue to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and will be subject to a test before the end of the SHN. Existing travel conditions, including adherence to SHN requirements and applying for relevant approvals before entering Singapore, continue to apply.

Travel conditions under specific travel arrangements (such as Green/Fast Lane arrangements and Periodic Commuting Arrangement with Malaysia), will also continue to apply. Persons serving SHN are reminded to use only the permitted modes of transport and avoid taking public transport.

Resumption of outdoor exercise classes
From 1 September, the taskforce will expand the list of public facilities where such classes can be held to include more open spaces at SportSG sport centres, parks, and HDB common areas.

These classes in newly opened areas must be organised by an instructor who will be responsible for ensuring that the safe management measures are put in place and adhered to. Such measures include temperature and symptoms screening, safe distancing, and maintaining a list of participants in venues where SafeEntry is not deployed.

The instructor must also be registered to conduct these activities. General group exercises that are not organised by these instructors will continue to be capped at five persons, in addition to any conditions stipulated by the premise owner.

Further, the taskforce noted that as general activity rises, it may not be practicable to maintain a one-metre safe distancing requirement in some settings, such as public transport. To reduce the risk of overcrowding in lifts and lift lobbies, they will put in place stringent safe management measures in lifts whilst exempting them from the one-metre safe distancing requirement.

These safe management measures include wearing of masks, refraining from speaking, and using hand sanitisers provided in lifts, which will ensure a safe lift ride for all. Lift users should continue to observe safe distancing in lift lobbies.

At the same time, some mall managers have been facing persistent challenges in managing crowds and ensuring safe distancing. As a result, the government stated that Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza will implement starting 29 August odd and even date entry restrictions on weekends, based on the last digit of an individual’s National Registration Identification Card (NRIC) or Foreign Identification Number (FIN).

The taskforce also looks to tighten the rules to allow recorded music at F&B outlets to be played as soft background music only. Live music, live broadcasts (both TV and radio) as well as video screenings remain banned.