Stay Home Notice for Travellers Cut to 14 Days From Higher Risk Area

The Government has thus far borne the costs of stay at dedicated Stay home notice facilities for travellers entering Singapore, except for those who left Singapore from 27 March 2020, despite the prevailing travel advisory. The Government has also borne the costs of the large majority of COVID-19 tests.

As we re-open our borders to more international travel, those who enter Singapore would have to bear the costs of fulfilling these requirements, as part of the cost of travel in a COVID-19 world.

From 17 June 2020, 2359 hours, all inbound and outbound travellers who enter or leave Singapore will be required to pay for their COVID-19 tests, where applicable. We recognise that there may be Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who had left Singapore before the prevailing travel advisory was issued on 27 March 2020, and who may be returning in the near future. For such cases, we will allow a grace period, and if they return and enter Singapore by 31 August 2020, we will waive the cost of the COVID-19 tests.

However, all travellers, including Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, who last left Singapore from 27 March 2020 despite the prevailing travel advisory, will have to continue to bear the costs of their stay at dedicated Stay home notice facilities where applicable, as well as the cost of their COVID-19 tests.

The Stay Home Notice (SHN) is a legal notice issued under the Infectious Diseases Act that requires travellers to remain in their place of residence or SHN Dedicated Facility (SDF) for a stipulated period. The failure to comply with any SHN requirement is punishable under Singapore laws and can amount to an imprisonment term and/or fine. Additional penalties such as the cancellation of long-term visit passes could also be taken against errant individuals by the relevant authorities.

In general, travellers under SHN are required to take a mandatory COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction test (“PCR Test”) towards the end of their SHN. Travellers can check their required SHN duration and required COVID-19 tests on the individual SafeTravel Lanes pages. Travellers approved for entry into Singapore should refer to their Entry Approval Letter or SafeTravel Pass for details on whether they are required to serve their SHN and COVID-19 test to take.

Stay Home Notice For Travellers From High Risk Area

From 23 June 2021, 2359 hours, all travellers with recent travel history in the past 21 days to higher risk countries/regions immediately prior to
arrival in Singapore, will only be required to complete 14 days of their Stay home notice at dedicated SHN facilities. They will undergo COVID-19 PCR tests onarrival and on Day 14 of their arrival. They will be allowed to end their SHN as long as they have a negative result for their PCR test on Day 14 of their arrival.

Travellers who had stayed in Taiwan and Israel in the 21 days immediately prior to arrival in Singapore were previously subjected to a 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and an additional 7-day SHN at their place of residence. From 23 June 2021, 2359 hours, travellers who had stayed in these countries/regions in the 21 days immediately prior to their arrival in Singapore will be allowed to apply to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities before arrival and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence, if they fulfil the following criteria:

i) Travelled to no other country/region other than the above-mentioned countries/regions in the last consecutive 21 days immediately prior to
entry into Singapore.
ii) Are occupying their place of residence (i.e. residential address) alone, or only with household members who are also persons serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of Stay home notice.

Refund details are being worked out for travellers who are affected by these changes, and will be shared with them separately. Besides the on-arrival PCR test and PCR test on Day 14 of arrival, all travellers serving the SHN in dedicated SHN facilities will also undergo ART self-administered tests on Days 3, 7 and 11 of their arrival. This new requirement will be implemented for new arrivals from 27 Jun 2021, 2359 hours.

Measures for new migrant workers, harbour craft crew

Meanwhile, newly arrived migrant workers from higher-risk countries and regions and are staying in dormitories, or those working in the Construction, Marine and Process (CMP) sector, will continue to go through an additional seven-day stay at the Migrant Worker Onboarding Centre (MWOC) or a dedicated facility after they are cleared from their 14-day Stay home notice.

This additional seven-day stay has been in place since early this year, and includes an additional testing regime, medical examination and Settling-In-Programme where required.

Also, new crew from higher risk countries or regions who are entering Singapore on a long-term permit to work aboard harbour craft operating in the Port of Singapore will undergo an additional seven-day stay and testing regime at a dedicated facility after they are cleared from their 14-day SHNs.

What you should do during stay home notice period?

Remain in your place of residence at all times during the SHN period

Do not leave your residence, even if it is to purchase food and essentials. If necessary, you may opt for home delivery services or enlist the assistance of others for your daily necessities.
If applicable, inform your employer or school that you have been issued a SHN as soon as possible.
Minimise contact with others, and avoid interaction with others in your residence

Avoid interaction with others you live with. You are prohibited from coming into contact with other persons (who do not stay with you) within 2 metres, other than for the purposes of receiving delivery of food or other essential supplies.
If sharing a house with others, stay in your own room as much as possible and use a dedicated toilet if possible.
The prohibition against leaving your residence is strict. You are not permitted to leave your place of residence to use common facilities in your estate/building such as the pool, gym, or playground.
Avoid interactions with vulnerable persons, for example, seniors aged 60 and above or persons with underlying health conditions, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. Consider alternative accomodations if these interactions cannot be avoided.
Only leave residence for your scheduled COVID-19 test appointment

You may only leave your residence for your scheduled COVID-19 test appointment at the designated testing facility, and you must return back immediately to your residence after the test. You should use your own private vehicle or pre-booked taxi to travel to the testing facility and back.
Monitor your health closely
i.e. Twice daily for fever (≥ 38°C) and respiratory symptoms such as cough and breathlessness. If you are unwell, wear a mask and seek medical attention immediately. Avoid contact with others.
For life-threatening cases such as cardiac arrest, active seizures, breathlessness, major traumas and stroke, contact 995 directly for assistance.
For individuals with respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, fever, runny nose), contact the desk manager or equivalent if you are serving your SHN at a dedicated Stay home notice facility. Otherwise, contact the SafeTravel Helpline which covers queries on SHN.
For all other non-emergencies (such as follow-up visits for chronic conditions, refilling of prescription, etc.):
- For Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Visit Pass holders, contact the desk manager or equivalent if you are serving your SHN at a dedicated SHN facility. Otherwise, please call the SafeTravel Helpline.
- For students, you can seek assistance from your educational institution. Parents/ guardians of pre-school students can approach ECDA.
- For foreign employees issued with a work pass, contact your employer or Singapore employment agency to assist you in making the necessary arrangements with the nearest GP clinic. However, if you have acute respiratory infection (eg. symptoms of sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell), please send your name, FIN and SHN residential address (i.e. Block, Floor, Unit No. and Postal Code) via WhatsApp to MOM insteads.