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Coronavirus: Work-pass holders with recent China travel history need MOM approval before entry

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JANUARY 25: Visitors wearing masks arrive at the departure hall of Changi Airport on January 25, 2020 in Singapore. Yesterday Singapore confirmed its third case of the deadly coronavirus which emerged last month in the city of Wuhan in China. (Photo by Ore Huiying/Getty Images)
Visitors wearing masks arrive at the departure hall of Changi Airport. (PHOTO: Ore Huiying/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will implement new requirements for work-pass holders entering or returning to Singapore with travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days, in lieu of the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a media statement on Friday (7 February), the ministry said that, from Saturday 11.59pm onwards, these work-pass holders – regardless of nationality – will be required to obtain MOM’s prior approval before they commence their journey.

This requirement applies to existing work-pass holders currently outside of Singapore, as well as in-principle approval holders who have yet to enter Singapore.

MOM said that this will enable the entry/return of work pass holders to be carried out in an orderly and well-managed way.

Employers to seek approval for employees

The ministry had earlier announced that, upon arrival in Singapore, all work pass holders with travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days will be placed on a mandatory 14-day leave of absence (LOA). Those with travel history or with Chinese passports issued in Hubei – where the coronavirus outbreak is at its most severe – will be quarantined.

Employers should inform their employees not to make travel plans to Singapore until they have sought and received approval from MOM.

They can seek approval using this online facility. Approval can only be sought three days before the intended arrival date of these work pass holders.

Requirement to arrange LOA premises

In seeking approval for the entry/return of these employees, employers will be required to declare to MOM that they have arranged for suitable premises to house these returning employees for the duration of their LOA.

They will be required to send the MOM approval letter to the employees, who will need to show it to the airline staff upon check-in and at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore, in order to gain entry into Singapore.

Errant employers or employees who do not comply with the requirements could have their work passes revoked and work-pass privileges withdrawn.

For further queries or clarifications, please contact MOM’s Contact Centre at 64385122, the ministry’s online enquiry or its official website.

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