S’pore did not lift all border measures in anticipation of risks, has not seen Covid case surge in travellers from China

Singapore’s current Covid-19 border regulations are appropriate given the global situation, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated in Parliament on Jan. 9. In recent weeks, China ended its zero-Covid policy, allowing easier travel but also seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases. While some countries like India and Japan have imposed additional restrictions on travellers from China, Singapore has not.

Maintaining border measures
Ong noted that Singapore did not completely lift its border measures even when many other nations did. He said, “We anticipated the risks,” referring to both China’s reopening and the winter waves of Covid-19 affecting countries like the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. Singapore’s decision to keep some measures in place is proving effective, especially now that China is experiencing a significant infection wave.

Low travel volumes
Ong explained that currently, travellers from China make up a small portion of Singapore’s total imported Covid-19 cases due to the low number of flights between the two countries. There are only 38 weekly flights from China, which is less than 10% of pre-pandemic levels.

Additionally, travellers from China must either be fully vaccinated or provide a negative pre-departure test (PDT) result, a measure that Singapore has maintained despite the easing of restrictions globally. Ong emphasized that this rule has been key in preventing a surge in infections.

Different international responses
Ong outlined three different global approaches to the situation in China. Some regions, like Asean and South America, have no additional restrictions. Countries like Australia and the U.S. require a 100% pre-departure test from all travellers coming from China. Singapore, along with Spain, has maintained a policy where travellers must be either fully vaccinated or provide a negative PDT result.

Infections from China remain low
Ong revealed that in the four weeks leading up to Jan. 1, only 200 travellers from China tested positive for Covid-19, representing less than 5% of Singapore’s imported cases. By contrast, over 50% of imported infections came from Asean countries. Ong added that no severe cases from China have been reported since Jan. 1, with only one severe case in the previous month.

China’s Covid-19 wave subsiding
Ong mentioned that many scientists believe the current wave of infections in China is beginning to subside, particularly in major cities. Singapore is looking forward to resuming higher flight volumes with China but will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Concerns about new variants
Ong stressed that a new and dangerous Covid-19 variant remains a key concern for Singapore. He said that if such a variant emerges, Singapore must be prepared to reinstate stricter border controls and social restrictions until new vaccines are developed. While surveillance of new variants is ongoing, including through the GISAID platform, the variants circulating in China (BA.5.2 and BF.7) are already well-known and have been detected in other parts of the world for months.

Ong concluded by saying Singapore will remain vigilant and continue to adjust measures as needed.