SINGAPORE — Employers must get the approval of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for employees who are work pass holders before they can make travel plans to return to Singapore from China.

This will take effect from 11.59pm on Saturday (Feb 8), MOM said in a media release on Friday.

It will apply to all work pass holders regardless of nationality.

Both existing work pass holders who are now out of Singapore as well as those who have received in-principle approval for their work pass and have yet to enter Singapore have to comply with the new ruling.

Individuals who have a recent travel history to China and who hold a Dependant’s Pass or a Long Term Visit Pass issued by MOM will be subjected to the same requirements as well.

The employers of work pass holders will need to send the approval letter from MOM to the employees, who will need to show it to the airline’s staff members upon check-in from their country of departure and at the immigration checkpoints upon arrival in Singapore in order to gain entry here.

To seek approval, employers will have to submit an online application on MOM’s website. Approval can only be sought exactly three days before the employee’s intended arrival date.

All work pass holders who have travelled to China in the last two weeks will have to take a mandatory 14-day leave of absence once they reach Singapore.

To obtain the letter of approval from MOM, employers will also have to declare to the authorities that they have sufficient housing for their employees to serve their leave of absence by having:

• A landlord’s confirmation that they are agreeable to house the foreign worker in a private residential property or Housing and Development Board flat during the leave of absence, or

• A booked hotel room with the hotel name stated, or

• A dormitory room 

The latest ruling comes after the Government announced on Friday that it has raised its risk assessment level of the novel coronavirus situation in Singapore to Dorscon Orange.

The Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert level was changed from Yellow to Orange because there were a few coronavirus cases here without any links to previous cases or with travel histories to China. 

There are 33 people here confirmed to have been infected with the virus but two have since recovered and have been discharged from hospital. Of the remaining 31 patients, most are stable or improving, but two are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

MOM said: “(The ministry) will not hesitate to take enforcement measures against errant employers or employees who do not comply with the requirements, including the revocation of work passes and withdrawal of work pass privileges.” 

Should employers need help to secure accommodation for their employees, they can contact 1800-333-999 or email MOM at mom_qops [at] mom.gov.sg.

If the public comes across an individual who has flouted the leave of absence requirements, they can contact MOM at 6438 5122, or email MOM at mom_qops [at] mom.gov.sg.