Written Answer by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on restrictions to facilitate entry of non-traditional source migrant workers who satisfy necessary health-related entry requirements

NOTICE PAPER NO. 805 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON 3 NOVEMBER 2021
QUESTION NO. 2119 FOR WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER NOT ANSWERED BY END OF QUESTION TIME

MP: Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

To ask the Minister for Manpower in view of the prevalence of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in Singapore, whether there are any planned changes to the restrictions governing the entry of non-traditional source migrant workers who satisfy the necessary health-related entry requirements such as vaccination and quarantine, especially those from South Asian countries under Category IV of the Ministry’s classification of countries.

Answer

The Member may be aware that since he filed the question, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has lifted travel restrictions on several non-traditional source countries such as Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, where many of our migrant workers (MWs) in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors come from.

2. As I have mentioned in this House on 1 Nov 2021, we have resumed entry approvals for MWs from CMP sectors to enter Singapore in a safe and calibrated manner from 1 November 2021, on the condition that they must be fully vaccinated before arrival. Firms in the CMP sectors who need their workers urgently may consider on-going initiatives in their industries to bring in workers
safely with tightened end-to-end safe management processes. Workers can enter without proof of vaccination provided they complete the full vaccination regime within two months after arrival.

3. Given the evolving nature of the regional COVID-19 situation, any changes to entry restrictions will depend on the prevailing situation.