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Singapore to tighten border measures for travellers from Australia's New South Wales

Travellers at Changi International Airport in Singapore.
Travellers at Changi International Airport in Singapore. (PHOTO: Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — Singapore will be tightening its border measures on travellers with travel history to New South Wales, given the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the Australian state.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a media release on Thursday (24 June) that from 11.59pm on Saturday, short-term travellers with travel history to New South Wales within the last 21 days before departure for Singapore will not be allowed to enter.

Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders with travel history to New South Wales within the last 21 days before departure for Singapore will have to serve an additional seven-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at their place of residence, and take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before the end of their SHN period.

Currently, travellers from New South Wales need only to take a PCR test upon arrival. If the test result is negative, they will be allowed to about their activities in Singapore.

New South Wales had reported eleven new local cases on Thursday, the third straight day the state recorded a double-digit rise as officials fight to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Border measures to be ease for travellers from Victoria

Singapore will also be easing border measures on travellers with travel history to Victoria, as the COVID-19 situation in the Australian state has improved in recent days.

Currently, these travellers have to take an on-arrival PCR test, serve a seven-day SHN at their place of residence, and take another PCR test before the end of the SHN period.

From 11.59pm on Saturday, they will need only to undergo the on-arrival PCR test, and will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore if the test result is negative. They will not need to serve the seven-day SHN.

Short-term visitors with travel history to Victoria within the last 21 days before departure to Singapore can now apply for an Air Travel Pass for entry on or after 1 July. They will also undergo a PCR test upon arrival, and will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore if the test result is negative.

Travellers from Victoria who are already serving their SHN as of 11.59pm on Saturday will be required to complete their SHN and exit swab.

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