Singapore: In view of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several countries, especially India, and emergence of new virus variants, Singapore is reducing entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents entering the country in the coming weeks.
“In this period of heightened alert, we are making changes to the entry of work pass holders who have earlier obtained approvals to arrive from higher risk countries and regions from Tuesday onwards,” said Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) work pass holders who have earlier obtained approval will be allowed entry as approved, except for a small group with planned arrivals in June who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks, said the ministry.Migrant domestic workers who have obtained earlier approval will be allowed entry as approved except for some with planned arrivals prior to June 7 who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks. Other work pass holders who obtained approval to enter prior to 5 July will not be allowed to enter, the ministry said.
“We will inform employers on when to re-apply for entry when the situation has stabilised and will prioritise them for entry approval then,” said the ministry in a statement.”In view of the need to reschedule the entry of work pass holders who had already obtained approval to enter, we regret that we will not be accepting new entry applications from higher risk countries and regions with immediate effect, except for workers needed for key strategic projects and infrastructural works who we will continue to allow entry,” it said.