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Special COVID-19 tests available for passengers on China-bound flights

A woman receives a nasal swab at the regional COVID-19 screening centre at The Float @ Marina Bay on 12 June 2020. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)
A woman receives a nasal swab at the regional COVID-19 screening centre at The Float @ Marina Bay. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE – Special COVID-19 testing arrangements have been made for passengers on China-bound flights from 28 to 31 August 2020.

The Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) made this clarification in a statement late on Wednesday (26 August), sent in response to media queries.

There were media reports that on Tuesday, dozens of Chinese nationals had gathered outside the China embassy in Singapore in frustration over new rules requiring them to get tested for the coronavirus before they can board flights home. However, the test isn’t usually made available to those without symptoms or who are not being tested as part of the Singapore government’s proactive surveillance strategy.

“These passengers can take the test at the Regional Screening Centre (RSC) located at 450 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609604, which is open from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm daily until 30 August,” the ministries said. The test will cost $186 and the passengers will be informed of the results within 48 hours.

“We have requested the airlines to make these arrangements known to their passengers. Since 25 August 2020, over 700 passengers have taken the test at the RSC,” the ministries added. “These special arrangements are to assist passengers to meet the recent requirements from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore for all passengers departing Singapore for China to take a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within five days before boarding their flights from 28 August 2020.”

For flights to China departing from 1 September 2020, the ministries advised travellers who require the pre-departure tests to approach following government agencies for assistance:

  • Travel related to essential business and employment: the Ministry of Trade and Industry at COVID_SafeTravelEnquiries@mti.gov.sg.

  • Chinese nationals with live or cancelled work permits and S-Passes returning to China: their employers should either schedule their tests via the existing Rostered Regular Tests Swab Registration System if they are eligible, or request for swabs at the Ministry of Manpower’s Regional Medical Centres. More information on this will be published on www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/sendingworkers-home.

  • Travel related to education, compassionate reasons, or otherwise: the Ministry of Health at MOH_QSM@moh.gov.sg.

Travellers should cater sufficient time to arrange for the test, and to receive the results, in time for their departing flights.

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