Singapore has joined more than 40 other countries in tightening restrictions on travellers arriving from the United Kingdom, following the emergence of a new coronavirus strain there that appears to be more contagious.
From 11.59pm tonight (Dec 23), all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with travel history to the UK within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday.
This ban will also apply to those who had obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore.
As for returning Singaporeans and permanent residents, they will have to be tested on arrival, and again towards the end of their 14-day stay-home notices at dedicated facilities.
Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force combating Covid-19, told reporters yesterday that Singapore has been monitoring the situation in the UK very closely.
"The preliminary assessment is that (the new strain) is 70 per cent more infectious, which is significant, and therefore we think it is prudent to stop all incoming travellers from the UK during this period until we are able to learn more about this new strain," he said.
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"We still need to understand, beyond the fact that it is more transmissible, whether it is going to lead to a more severe disease, or will there be other impacts.
"Having this additional precaution now is necessary and prudent, because of the uncertainty and the risk."
BioNTech chief executive Ugur Sahin said his company was confident that its vaccine - co-developed with Pfizer - works against the UK variant, but further studies are needed to be completely sure.
"The likelihood that our vaccine works... is relatively high," he said. But if needed, "we could be able to provide a new vaccine technically within six weeks," he added.
In the meantime, many countries in Europe have stopped flights from the UK. Hong Kong and India have also done so.
Mr Wong said the strain has yet to be detected in the Republic, but added Singapore has to stay vigilant and monitor how the strain is spreading, and constantly adjust measures at its borders and within the community.
MOH noted that UK authorities are investigating whether the strain is associated with any change in disease severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy. It will evaluate the data as it emerges and review border measures accordingly.
In addition, short-term travellers holding an air travel pass with travel history to Australia's New South Wales state within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter Singapore from tonight.
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This article was first published in The New Paper. Permission required for reproduction.
