SINGAPORE, Nov 26 — Singapore will be restricting travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe from Nov 28 given the deteriorating situation in the respective African countries due to the new COVID-19 variant.
According to the republic’s Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF), there have been recent reports of a potentially more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus, the B.1.1.529, which may be circulating in those countries.
“Scientists around the world are still finding out more about the new variant of virus, such as whether it is more transmissible than the Delta variant, whether it is more likely to lead to severe illnesses, and efficacy of existing vaccines against this new variant,” MTF said in a statement today.
The Taskforce noted that currently, Singapore has no cases of this variant.
In the meantime, MTF said it should take the necessary precautions to reduce the risks of the spread of B.1.1.529 to Singapore.
Among others, the MTF said all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to those seven countries within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore or transit through Singapore.
“This restriction will also apply to those who have obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore,” it said, adding that these additional border restrictions will apply for four weeks in the first instance, after which the restrictions will be reviewed or extended if necessary.
“While the variant has been suggested to be more transmissible, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine if this variant is associated with any change in disease severity, antibody response, or vaccine efficacy.
“These aspects are being investigated,” said MTF.
Singapore has also today announced it will launch VTLs with Thailand from Dec 14 and with Cambodia, Fiji, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Turkey from Dec 16.
This latest move will increase the total number of VTL countries for Singapore to 27 from 21.
