SINGAPORE: Singapore residents returning from ASEAN countries, France, India and Switzerland must self-isolate for 14 days at dedicated facilities, in an expansion of the stay-home notice requirements to include more countries.
This will apply to Singaporeans, permanent residents and long term pass holders returning from Apr 5 at 11.59pm, announced the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Saturday (Apr 4).
AdvertisementAdvertisementPreviously, only those returning from the United States and the United Kingdom needed to serve their stay-home notice at dedicated facilities.
[h=3]READ: Essential businesses will stay open even as most workplaces are to close from next Tuesday[/h][h=3]READ: Mustafa Centre to close for at least two weeks; will undergo disinfection[/h]MOH said the expanded measure is to protect Singaporeans and "further ring fence the risk of community transmission from imported cases".
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe countries chosen are based on the ministry's assessment of risks and the history of imported cases in Singapore, and taking into consideration the availability of dedicated stay-home facilities.
"The dedicated stay-home notice facilities are not just about the provision of hotel rooms," said MOH.
[h=3]READ: 'Right time' to close schools now, says Education Minister Ong Ye Kung[/h][h=3]READ: Long queues at some malls as shoppers rush to prepare for closure of schools and most workplaces[/h]"We also work with the hotel operators to provide training for their staff, and to put in place proper security arrangements, as well as infection control and precautions. It takes time to get ready such facilities, and we do not have enough at present to accommodate all returnees," it added.
"Therefore based on the current capacity, we have prioritised the facilities for returnees from these specific countries."
For those who are returning from other countries, they can serve their 14-day stay-home notice at home.
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