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Mandatory Stay-Home Notice for Work Pass Holders with Travel History to Mainland China

Foreign manpower Work passes and permits
  1. In line with the additional precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will implement a mandatory 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) with effect from 18 February 2020, 23:59 hours. SHN applies to all work pass holders entering or returning to Singapore with travel history to mainland China (outside Hubei1) within the last 14 days.
  2. Work pass holders currently on a mandatory 14-day leave of absence (LOA) will continue to serve out their LOA under conditions set out earlier by MOH and MOM2.


    STAY-HOME NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

  3. Work pass holders who have been put on a SHN shall not leave their place of residence. They should monitor their health closely and seek medical attention immediately if they develop any fever or symptoms of acute respiratory illness such as cough or shortness of breath.
  4. Work pass holders on SHN can make their own arrangements to procure their daily necessities, such as meals and daily essentials. This could include requesting their house or dormitory mates to help procure these for them, or ordering home delivery services. Employers are responsible to ensure that their work pass holders on SHN can obtain meals and other daily essentials. If the work pass holder is unable to make his own arrangements, the employer will have to make the necessary arrangements. If support from employers is not forthcoming, work pass holders should report their difficulties to MOM.
  5. MOM would like to remind landlords that there is no need for persons under SHN to be segregated and other persons can continue to share the same room/apartment as them, though social interaction and contact should be minimized.
  6. Employers and work pass holders have a joint duty to ensure that the SHN is complied with. MOM reserves the right to take action against the employer or employee if the SHN is breached.

    FURTHER ADVISORY

  7. Employers and employees should closely monitor COVID-19-related developments and comply with both the travel and health advisories on the MOH website. Employees are urged to cooperate with their employers.
  8. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, there may be additional requirements imposed on work pass holders from time to time. While MOM will publicise these requirements widely, it may not be possible to inform every employer or employee directly about each new set of requirements. Employers and employees are strongly advised to check the MOM’s website (http://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19) for the latest advisories.
  9. For further queries or clarifications, please contact:

a. Ministry of Manpower
MOM Contact Centre, Tel: (65) 6438 5122
Online Enquiry via this link: www.mom.gov.sg/feedback
Website: www.mom.gov.sg

b. Ministry of Health

MOH Emergency Line , Tel: (65) 1800 333 9999

Online Enquiry via this link: https://crms.moh.gov.sg/mohfeedback.aspx

Website: www.moh.gov.sg


Annex – Frequently asked questions:

  1. What is the difference between leave of absence (LOA) and stay-home notice (SHN)?

    People on LOA are still allowed to leave their residences for daily necessities or urgent matters as they are assessed to be of lower risk. However, they should minimise time spent in public and contact with others.

    Those on SHN are not allowed to leave their residence during the entire 14-day period.   
  2. How do I report work pass holders who flout LOA or SHN requirements?

    Members of public can contact MOM at mom_qops@mom.gov.sg.
  3. Who can employers contact if they need assistance in providing support for employees on SHN?

    It is the employers’ duty to provide meals or daily necessities for their employees, if their employee is unable to make their own arrangements. If an employer is unable to discharge its duty, they should not arrange for their employee to return to Singapore.  
  4. Will support be provided to employers affected by SHN requirements?

    The Leave of Absence Support Programme to support businesses and self-employed persons will also be extended to cover Stay-Home Notices (SHN). 
  5. How will MOM enforce the SHN?  

    Work pass holders placed on SHN will be subjected to the same stringent checks as those on LOA. These include self-reporting requirements, phone and video calls as well as physical inspections.     
  6. Are dependants of work pass holders subjected to the same requirements?

    Yes, with effect from 18 February 2020, 23:59 hours, the mandatory 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) will also apply to dependants of work pass holders (i.e. holding a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or Long-Term Visit Pass issued by the MOM) entering or returning to Singapore with a travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days.        

FOOTNOTE

  1. Existing work pass holders with Hubei-issued passports or with recent travel history to Hubei should defer their return and will continue to be quarantined upon their return to Singapore.
  2. https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2020/0131-update-on-additional-measures-by-mom-to-minimise-the-risk-of-community-spread