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MOM Entry Approval and Stay-Home Notices Extended to ASEAN Countries, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Employment practices Foreign manpower Work passes and permits
  1. In view of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will implement additional precautionary measures to further reduce the risk of importation of the virus to Singapore.

    MOM's Entry Approval

  2. From 16 March 2020, 2359 hours, MOM will require all work pass holders (including dependants) with travel history to ASEAN countries1, Japan, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom within the last 14 days and planning to enter/return to Singapore, to obtain MOM’s approval before they commence their journey. This is regardless of the nationality of the work pass holder. The entry approval requirement applies to:  
       
    a. Existing work pass holders currently out of Singapore; and

    b. In-Principle Approval holders who have yet to enter Singapore.
     
  3. Upon arrival in Singapore, all affected work pass holders will be placed on a mandatory 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN). When applying for entry approval, employers will be required to declare to MOM that they have arranged for suitable premises to house these entering/returning employees for the duration of their SHN.
  4. Employers are required to apply for entry approval using this online facility. Employers should inform their affected employees (including their dependants) not to make travel plans to Singapore until approval has been received from MOM. The employers will be required to send the MOM approval letter to the employees who will need to show it to the airline staff upon check-in and at the ICA checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore.
  5. The entry approval requirement for work pass holders (including dependants) with travel history to mainland China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days, remains unchanged.

    Stay-Home Notice Requirements
     
  6. Employers and work pass holders have a joint duty to ensure that the SHN is complied with. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. MOM will not hesitate to take enforcement measures against errant employers or employees who do not comply with the requirements set out above, including the revocation of work passes and withdrawal of work pass privileges.

    Leave of Absence Support Programme (LOASP) Extended to Those Serving Stay-Home Notice

  9. MOM has extended the Leave of Absence Support Programme (LOASP) to businesses and self-employed persons affected by the SHN requirements due to COVID-19 since 18 February 2020, 2359 hours.
  10. Under the LOASP, eligible employers will be able to apply for $100 daily per affected worker for the required duration of SHN. Affected workers include Singapore Citizens (SC), Permanent Residents (PR), and Work Pass holders who were placed on SHN upon their return to Singapore. Eligible employers will also qualify for levy waiver for affected foreign workers for the SHN period.
  11. Businesses and self-employed SCs and PRs will be eligible for the LOASP if work was not performed remotely by affected persons or workers on SHN, and if they were placed on LOA or SHN upon their return to Singapore after:

    A. Travelling to mainland China on or before 31 January 2020; or
    B. Travelling to Daegu city or Cheongdo county in South Korea on or before 26 Feb 2020; or
    C. Travelling to South Korea, Northern Italy2, or Iran before 4 March 2020; or
    D. Travelling to Italy, Spain, France or Germany on or before 15 March 2020; or
    E. Traveling to ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom on or before 16 March 2020
     
  12. For more information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please refer to MOM’s press release here.

    Further Advisory

  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. For further queries or clarifications, please contact:
    a. Ministry of Manpower
    MOM Contact Centre
    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

FOOTNOTE

  1. List of ASEAN countries besides Singapore: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.
  2. Refers to the eight administrative regions: Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Guilia and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.