Workers required for key strategic projects and infrastructural works will be allowed to enter, says the Manpower Ministry.
Singapore will not accept new entry applications for work pass holders from higher-risk countries and regions with immediate effect, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in several places around the world.
The new restriction stated that workers needed for key strategic projects and infrastructural works, who will be allowed to enter, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Higher-risk countries and regions exempted Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
Work pass holders from higher-risk places who earlier received approval to enter Singapore before Jul 5 will no longer be let in – except for migrant domestic workers and those in the construction, marine shipyard and process industry.
“We will inform employers on when to re-apply for entry when the situation has stabilised and will prioritise them for entry approval then,” said MOM.
For migrant domestic workers, those who have already obtained approval will be permitted to enter Singapore, with the exception of some with planned arrivals before Jun 7.
Similarly, workers in the construction, marine shipyard and process industry who have already obtained approval will be allowed to enter. But, a small group with planned arrivals in June will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks.
“In this period of heightened alert, we are making changes to the entry of work pass holders who have earlier obtained approvals to arrive from higher-risk countries and regions from Tuesday, May 11 onwards,” MOM said.
These changes will not affect work pass holders already granted approval or are seeking the green light to enter Singapore from lower-risk countries and regions under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and other approved travel lanes, said MOM.
“They are necessary to enable workers to enter in a safe and calibrated manner, and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 importation.”
