Yesterday, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong put on the sexiest white shirt he could find in his closet and made the announcement that Singaporeans have been dying to hear since the start of the circuit breaker:
The country will enter Phase 2 on 19 June.
Yes, after over 2 months of solitude, eating melted takeaway Ice Kachang in your house, and bubble tea withdrawal, Singapore is finally easing some coronavirus-related restrictions.
Still, happiness is often fleeting, and after your fifteenth cup of bubble tea and sixth bowl of Ice Kachang with your friends at the coffee shop, you’re probably going to want more.
At that point, you’ll ask, “can I go for a holiday abroad?”.
The short answer to that is no. The long answer to that is also no.
While you can’t travel overseas for a holiday as of yet, the gahmen announced several changes to their border measures as part of their move to gradually restart travel in and out of the country.
Here are 10 facts about the new border measure changes that will probably depress you.
1. All Incoming Travellers Will Be Tested
Since 21 March, all incoming travellers have been required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
Now, in addition the the SHN, all incoming travellers entering Singapore from 17 June 2020, 2359 hours will be tested before the end of their SHN.
That’s right. After returning home from a relaxing holiday abroad, you can look forward to having a long cotton swab shoved up your nose.
The test will be scheduled a few days before the end of the SHN period, at a designated community testing facility.
2. Incoming Travellers From Some Countries Don’t Have To Serve Their SHN at Facilities
Previously, all arrivals, including Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents, had to serve their SHN’s at dedicated facilities.
A few who were lucky enough ended up staying in luxurious suites at swanky hotels.
Now, incoming travellers entering from 17 June 2020, 2359 hours from certain countries will be allowed to serve their SHN at a “suitable place of residence” instead of dedicated facilities, according to the Ministry of Health.
These countries include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.
This only applies to travellers who remained in these countries 14 days prior to the arrival in Singapore.
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents will be allowed to serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence.
3. Other Travellers Will Continue to Serve SHN at Dedicated Facilities
If you’re not from one of the countries listed above, you’ll still have to serve your SHN at dedicated facilities. This sounds okay, right? Well, this is actually really bad news, and you’ll see why in a moment.
4. All Incoming Travellers Will Have to Pay For Their Own Covid-19 Tests
Your eyes are not deceiving you. All inbound and outbound travellers who enter Singapore from 17 June 2020, 2359 hours and leave Singapore from 17 June 2020, 2359 hours will be required to pay for their own Covid-19 tests.
This includes Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents.
Speaking to the media, Lawrence Wong said that the government has so far borne the costs of tests, but as they gradually reopen their borders and allow travel, they want to move to a more “sustainable position”.
So, how much is the test?
According to gov.sg, a Covid-19 test for people under SHN will cost $200.
But that’s not all.
5. Some Incoming Travellers Will Have to Pay For Their SHN Stay At Dedicated Facilities
If you’re in a long-distance relationship (LDR) with a partner who’s in another country, you might want to look away now.
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According to MOH, all incoming travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents entering Singapore from 17 June 2020, 2359 hours, will be required to pay for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities.
Reader in LDR: I’m scared to ask, but I have no choice. How much is it?
It’s… $2,000.
Reader:
Here are the charges for both the Covid-19 test and SHN facilities:
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This means that incoming travellers who are not citizens or PRs will have to spend an extra $2,200 to come to Singapore.
That’s insane.
6. More Long Term Pass Holders Will Be Allowed Back Into The Country
While some Long Term Pass Holders abroad have been allowed to come back to Singapore with prior approval, the government will gradually increase the number of entry approvals given to Long Term Pass holders as the local and global Covid-19 situation improves.
This is especially for pass holders with “deep roots to Singapore” or those who have “exigent circumstances”, said MOH.
7. Short-term Visits are Still Disallowed
Short-term visits are still disallowed, except those coming in under the Fast Lane arrangements.
For now, Singapore only has a Fast Lane arrangement with China. Other countries will gradually be added to that list.
8. Singaporeans are Still Advised to Defer All Travel Abroad
You probably started looking for cheap tickets to Bangkok the moment you saw the words “Phase 2” and “19 June”, but Singaporeans are still advised to defer all travel abroad.
Only essential business and official travel will be permitted under Green/ Fast Lane arrangements, said MOH.
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9. You Might Still Have To Pay Your Own Hospital Bills If You Get Covid-19 After Travelling
As you know, Singaporeans who continue to travel despite the government’s advisory to defer travel abroad will have to pay their own hospital bills if they contract Covid-19 after their trip.
The health ministry hasn’t made any changes to this rule, so it’s safe to assume that you’ll still have to foot the bill if you choose to travel and end up getting infected with the coronavirus.
10. It Might Be a While Before We Can Travel Like We Used To
In order to console yourself after having to reschedule your flight to Bangkok for the ninth time, you might be thinking “Phase 2 is here, so travel should follow soon after”.
But that may not be true.
Yes, the government is gradually reopening their borders and easing travel restrictions, but they’re doing this at a really slow pace.
They’ve only entered into the Fast Lane agreement with China, and even that’s only for essential business or official travel.
Even after more countries are added to the Fast Lane agreement, we’ll probably have to undergo 14-day quarantines in the country we’re travelling to. And it’ll likely be at our own cost.
In addition, we’ll have to serve an SHN when we come back and pay $200 for a Covid-19 test.
Sadly, it seems like it’ll be a long time before we’ll be able to travel like we used to.
Reader: I was excited to read about all the new border changes and now I’m depressed
Well, at least you’ll be able to have bubble tea and eat at the hawker centre with your friends, right?
Reader: Sure, but what I really wanted was a holiday.
You’re never satisfied with what you have, dear reader.