Mission Updates

Update on COVID-19 on 15 Jan 2021

15 Jan 2021

We enter 2021 with some positive news from Singapore. The number of new Covid-19 community infections has remained low, and we have to manage with imported cases as the economy is opening up. Singapore has moved into Phase 3 of re-opening, and initial vaccinations have begun. We hope you are keeping safe and staying healthy, and thank you for continuing to stay in touch with the Singapore Embassy.

2 As you may be making plans for the Lunar New Year holidays, we would like to share with you the latest information related to COVID-19 which may be useful.

3 Flights. SIA has non-stop flights from Los Angeles (LAX, 5 flights a week), New York (JFK, 3 flights a week) and San Francisco (SFO, 3 flights a week). With effect from 18 Jan 2021, there will be daily flights from each of these cities. Please visit https://www.singaporeair.com for more details.

4 Testing Requirements for Travel into the US. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued an order requiring a negative COVID19 test for all air passengers entering the US. With effect from 26 Jan 2021, all air passengers seeking to enter the US will be required to take a COVID-19 viral (i.e. molecular/PCR) test within 3 days before their flight to the US departs and provide written documentation of the test result to the airline, or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. With reference to the latter, CDC will not require further testing in the three months after a positive test, so long as the traveller has not had any symptoms. In this situation, a passenger may travel with documentation of the positive test result and a letter from a health care provider or a public health official stating that the traveller now has been cleared for travel. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding of the passenger. After arrival, travelers are required to follow existing protocols, i.e. get tested within 3-5 days and stay home for 7 days post-travel subject to additional local regulations/guidelines. Please refer to the CDC media statement here for further details. Please check with your airlines and consult your local public health department on the latest requirements for self-quarantine/testing for your travel and return.

5 Vaccines. Some of you have asked about the availability of vaccines in the US. For those of you planning to take the vaccine in the US, please enquire with your US medical insurance provider on when the vaccine will be available at your designated healthcare provider. For those planning to return to Singapore for the vaccine, please note that vaccine supply is limited globally and will arrive in Singapore in batches over several months. Hence, the first priority is to vaccinate those who are at greatest risk: healthcare workers and frontline personnel, as well as the elderly. Singaporeans and long-term residents will be progressively vaccinated. Vaccinations will be provided free to persons in Singapore, based on the prioritisation for vaccination. Singaporeans who are residing or working overseas who wish to be vaccinated in Singapore will need to return home when vaccines are made available to the population group to which they belong. You will need to follow the prevailing entry rules which apply based on your travel history.

6 Please contact the Singapore Embassy at 202-537-3100 or singemb_was@mfa.sg if you have any queries or require consular assistance. Some other useful links are listed below for easy reference: