The requirement to take pre-departure nucleic acid test (NAT) and IgM antibody serology test before departure is imposed by China. From 8 November 2020, all passengers arriving in China from Singapore, or transiting through Singapore, must take NAT and IgM antibody tests.
For flights from 5 December onwards, venous blood test method (not fingertip blood method) must be done for IgM antibody serology test, in order for the test results to be accepted.
Refer to the latest announcement on Chinese Embassy website.
Nucleic acid test is similar to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
Nucleic acid test
For clinic appointments before 1 December 2020
For Chinese workers with existing or cancelled Work Permits or S Passes returning to China, you need to submit the pre-departure PCR COVID test request online. You will receive approval email within 2 working days.
For other work passes, such as EP or Dependant’s Pass holders who wants to apply for the PCR test, you can apply for pre-departure test at the SafeTravel website.
You can make an appointment with any clinics listed on SafeTravel website after you received the approval email. You should schedule the PCR test for your workers to be within 2 days before the flight departure. This is to ensure results are issued before the flight.
For clinic appointments from 1 December 2020 onwards
Government approval is not required for pre-departure PCR COVID tests on or after 1 Dec 2020.
You can make an appointment with any clinics listed on SafeTravel website after you received the approval email. You should schedule the PCR test for your workers to be within 2 days before the flight departure. This is to ensure results are issued before the flight.
Nucleic acid test (NAT) is similar to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
IgM antibody serology test through venous blood test method
You don’t need approval for IgM antibody serology test. You can check with clinics directly on the availability of serology test. The serology test for your workers should be within of your workers to be 2 days before the flight departure date. This is to ensure results are issued before the flight.
You should:
- Cater enough time to arrange for test appointments.
- Inform the clinic about your workers’ flight dates so that they can provide the test results on time.
Please ensure that your worker is not on Quarantine Order or Stay-Home-Notice on departure day.
If your worker's test results are inconclusive or positive, they will not be allowed to board. You should work with the airlines to re-schedule your worker’s flight accordingly.
For flights before 1 December 2020
You do not need to submit the test result memos to the Chinese Embassy. Please ensure that your worker brings 2 printed hard copies of their test result memos when checking in at the airport.
For flights from 1 December 2020
Your worker needs to submit the test result memos to the Chinese Embassy, and obtain the green health code with the "HS" mark via the WECHAT epidemic prevention health code.
You should upload the information to the WECHAT application once the test result memos are sent to you by the clinics.
Passengers will only be allowed to board upon inspection of the "HS" mark by airline staff.
Refer to the Chinese Embassy website for more information and updates on the application process.
You should:
- Pay for the pre-departure nucleic acid test (NAT) and IgM antibody serology test.
- Pay at the GP clinic directly.
The GP clinic will issue the result memos.
You should contact the GP clinic where your worker took their nucleic acid test or IgM antibody serology test.
For workers who tested PCR-positive for the first time, they would be subjected to isolation and/or treatment. You or your worker will be informed on the procedures by the medical professionals.
You should work with the airline to:
- Request refunds or re-schedule the flight.
- Arrange re-tests before the next flight.
| If your COVID-recovered worker has tested |
You should |
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PCR-positive / PCR-inconclusive and IgM-antibody-negative at GP clinic before original flight
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- Work with airlines to schedule next available flight.
- Register for re-test at RMC.
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PCR-positive / PCR-inconclusive and IgM-antibody-positive at GP clinic before original flight
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- Work with airlines to schedule next flight at least 2 weeks after original flight.
- Register for re-test at RMC.
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IgM-antibody-positive and PCR-negative at GP clinic
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- Re-apply for your worker to be re-tested at GP clinic.
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To register for a re-test appointment before rescheduled flight, contact your region’s Managing Agent (MA) 2 days before the new flight date to schedule a same-day appointment at an
RMC.
Before confirming appointment, check with the MA:
- Whether the medical centre can support both PCR and IgM antibody tests.
- Cost of the PCR and IgM antibody test.
The cost of the PCR re-swab will be waived only if your worker had previously tested PCR-positive or PCR-inconclusive before original flight date.
Your worker should bring along all the following documents (hardcopy or softcopy) to the medical centre:
- Discharge memo from MOH to prove that they are a COVID-recovered worker.
- The previous PCR and IgM-antibody test result memos issued by the GP clinic.
- Proof of your worker’s rescheduled flight.