SINGAPORE — Border measures and vaccination requirements in Singapore for travellers and work pass holders from China remain unchanged, though the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that it will monitor the international Covid-19 situation and make the appropriate adjustments “should the need arise”.

The statement was made in response to TODAY’s queries on Wednesday (Dec 28), after China's healthcare system is reported to be under strain as a result of a spike in Covid-19 cases there.

On Monday, China announced that it would be scrapping Covid-19 quarantine for overseas arrivals from Jan 8.

A translation of the announcement made by the Chinese authorities contained a mention that its citizens’ ability to travel overseas will be “resumed in an orderly manner” but did not elaborate on when this will resume.

China’s announcement marked an end to almost three years of self-imposed isolation.

Media there reported that its citizens reacted with excitement and online searches for flights overseas jumped.

However, there has also been a surge in Covid-19 cases in China in recent weeks after Beijing moved away from its zero-tolerance policy towards Covid-19 and adopted an approach of living with the coronavirus.

The surge in infections has caused nationwide shortages of test kits and key drugs such as fever and cold medicines.

Infectious disease experts told TODAY previously that there is no need for Singapore to impose travel restrictions from travellers from China because there is a high vaccination rate here.

In response to TODAY's queries last week on whether there will be entry restrictions for travellers from China, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority pointed to the entry requirements for all travellers on its website, which were last updated on Dec 12.

In short, travellers who have taken the minimum Covid-19 vaccine dosage may enter Singapore without testing or quarantine.

MOH said on Wednesday that Singapore’s border measures are regularly reviewed and updated based on the latest global Covid-19 situation.

“At this juncture, the prevailing border measures and vaccination requirements for travellers and work pass holders arriving from China remain unchanged,” MOH said.

“We are closely monitoring the international Covid-19 situation and will adjust our border health measures as appropriate should the need arise.”

MOH also said that China now imposes restrictions on outbound travel such that people need a valid reason to leave the country, such as for education or business.

As for Singapore, MOH said that it requires travellers who are not fully vaccinated, based on the World Health Organization’s definition, to undergo pre-departure tests.

In addition, short-term visitors are also required to get insurance for Covid-related medical expenses.