Singapore removes India, 5 other South Asian countries from travel restriction list

295
1
Singapore removes India, 5 other South Asian countries from travel restriction list

Singapore announced the removal of India and five other South Asian countries from its travel restriction list on Saturday as the island state continues to adjust border measures in response to the global Covid - 19 situation.

All travellers with a 14 day travel history to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore from Wednesday, the health ministry said.

However, travellers from these countries will be subjected to the strictest of border measures, which involve a 10-day stay-home notice period at a dedicated facility, it said.

The ministry said in a release that it has closed the Covid 19 situation in the six South Asian countries it had previously reviewed.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a virtual press conference that the situation in these countries has stabilized for some time.

There is no longer a need for strict rules that prevent travellers from landing here, the Straits Times quoted Ong as saying.

The health ministry said changes that come into effect on Wednesday include the loosening of measures for travellers from Singapore's closest neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia.

As of Friday, Singapore has reported a total of 165,663 COVID - 19 cases since the start of the pandemic. The disease has claimed 294 lives so far in the country.

Also Read: Sri Lanka unveils plans to offer booster shots to front-line workers, seniors.