You must ensure that your workers are not under Quarantine Orders (QO) or Stay-Home Notices (SHN).
Flights are currently limited due to the COVID-19 situation. You should check availability of commercial flights and book early by regularly checking:
Employers are advised to choose airlines that allow flexibility in re-booking of passengers with positive COVID-19 test results, particularly for repatriation of COVID-Recovered PRC workers.
This is because all passengers departing from Singapore for China are required to be tested negative for COVID-19 before boarding, and COVID-Recovered workers may continue to test positive due to shedding of non-viable viral fragments even though they are non-infectious.
COVID-Recovered PRC workers who test positive would hence need to rebook their flights and be re-tested before their rebooked flights.
Get more details on repatriating PRC workers returning to China.
To register your interest to MOM:
- Download and complete the template. Make sure to enter the details of workers who are ready for repatriation.
- Log in to register online. You’ll need CorpPass.
- Attach the completed template and submit.
You should regularly check embassy and airlines’ websites for any specific COVID-19-related landing requirements, such as fit-to-fly doctor’s certification or quarantine requirements on arrival.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China had announced that starting from 28 August 2020, 0000 hrs, all passengers departing from Singapore for China or transiting via Singapore for China will be required to take a nucleic acid test (NAT) for COVID-19 before boarding. The NAT test is similar to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test in Singapore. As announced on the PRC Embassy’s website on 4 September 2020, the date (D) of the test result memo will be valid for the next 3 days (D+3) for departure.
With effect from flights on or after 1 October 2020, employers can no longer schedule pre-departure PCR testing via Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) or the Regional Medical Centres (RMC).
All Chinese workers with live or cancelled Work Permits and S Passes returning to China on or after 1 October 2020, please submit your pre-departure COVID test request online. Successful applicants will be notified of the approval via the email registered in the form within five working days.
The COVID test will be conducted at any of the GP clinics listed ICA’s SafeTravel website. The following procedures will not apply to you.
The following procedures apply ONLY for Chinese workers with live or cancelled Work Permits and S Passes who need pre-departure COVID tests in order to return to China on flight dates on or before 30 September 2020.
Other MOM pass holders, such as Employment Pass or Dependant’s Pass holders, and regardless of travel dates, should refer to
SafeTravel Pre-Departure Test Application to apply for the PCR test. The following procedures will not apply to you.
Workers currently scheduled for Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) by employers
I.e. Live work pass holders residing in dormitories or construction, marine, and process work pass holders residing in the community.
For RRT workers who are unable to schedule for a swab date before flight departure or are COVID-recovered, please refer to “All other Work Permit, S Pass, Special Pass”.
Scheduling an appointment
- Employers should schedule the RRT swab test of your workers to be 4 days before the flight departure date via the Health Promotion Board’s Swab Registration System to ensure results are issued within 3 days before the flight.
- After the worker’s swab has been scheduled, employers should request for a Memo On COVID-19 Real Time RT-PCR Swab Test Result by submitting the following details of your PRC workers:
- Worker’s name, FIN, and passport number
- Flight number and flight date
- Image of air ticket or proof of purchase of air ticket
- Employer’s name, handphone, and email address
- Date of the scheduled swab
- If the above is incomplete, MOM will be unable to process your request.
- If you’re cancelling your worker’s Work Permit, you should do so only after the RRT has been conducted.
Transport to the Regional Swab Centres (RSC)
- For workers residing in dormitories, employers should arrange for transport to the RSC via the dormitory operator. For workers residing in the community, employers should ensure that your worker has dedicated transport to and from the RSC.
- You must provide the following to RSC when your worker arrives for the swab:
- Proof of MOM pass holder
- Valid passport
AND
- Air ticket or proof of ticket purchase
After the swab appointment
- Swab results are generally available in about two days and a Memo On COVID-19 Real Time RT-PCR Swab Test Result will be issued to employers via email if your worker’s swab result is negative.
- For flights from 11 September 2020, there is no longer a need to submit your test results to the embassy in advance. Please ensure that your worker brings 2 printed hard copies of their test result when they are checking in at the airport for their flight.
- Please ensure that your worker is not on Quarantine Order or Stay-Home Notice on departure day.
- Please note that your worker will be unable to fly if their test results are inconclusive or positive.
- Workers who are tested positive for the first time would be subjected to isolation or treatment. You and your worker will be informed on the procedures by the medical professionals. You are advised to work with the airline to request refunds or deferment of your worker’s flight ticket, and to arrange another swab test to be 4 days before the next available flight.
- If your worker has inconclusive results, you are advised to work with the airlines to schedule the earliest available next flight and re-swab your worker as soon as possible, 4 days before the rebooked flight.
All other MOM Work Permit, S Pass or Special Pass holders
Scheduling an appointment
- Employers repatriating workers to PRC who are not eligible for RRT scheduling should request for a PCR test to be conducted 4 days before the flight departure date by submitting the following details on submitting the following details of your PRC workers:
- Worker’s name, FIN, and passport number
- Flight number and flight date
- Image of air ticket or proof of purchase of air ticket
- Employer’s name, mailing address, handphone, email address, and UEN (for billing purposes)
- Date and region of the scheduled swab
- Upon submitting the online form, employers will receive an SMS from your assigned Regional Medical Centre’s Managing Agent (MA) one day before your appointment date to confirm the appointment.
- Please SMS your respective Cluster MA directly (Annex 1) only if you are scheduling a same-day or next-day appointment.
- The cost of the swab test will be $186 and will be billed separately to the employer via email nearer to the appointment date.
Transport to the RMC
- For workers residing in dormitories, employers should arrange for transport to the RMC via the dormitory operator. For workers residing in the community, employers should ensure that your worker has dedicated transport to and from the RMC.
- You must provide the following to RMC when your worker arrives for the swab:
- Proof of MOM pass holder
- Valid passport
AND
- Air ticket or proof of ticket purchase
After the swab appointment
- Swab results are generally available in about two days and a Memo On COVID-19 Real Time RT-PCR Swab Test Result will be issued to employers via email if your worker’s swab result is negative, no later than the day before the flight.
- For flights from 11 September 2020, there is no longer a need to submit your test results to the embassy in advance. Please ensure that your worker brings 2 printed hard copies of their test result when they are checking in at the airport for their flight.
- Please ensure that your worker is not on Quarantine Order or SHN on departure day.
- Please note that your worker will be unable to fly if their test results are inconclusive or positive.
- Workers who are tested positive for the first time would be subjected to isolation and/or treatment. You and your worker will be informed on the procedures by the medical professionals. You are advised to work with the airline to request refunds or deferment of your worker’s flight ticket, and to arrange another swab test to be 4 days before the next available flight.
- If your worker has inconclusive results, you are advised to work with the airlines to schedule the earliest available next flight and re-swab your worker as soon as possible, 4 days before the rebooked flight.
- If your worker is COVID-recovered with positive or inconclusive results, you are advised to work with the airlines to schedule the earliest available next flight and re-swab your worker as soon as possible, 4 days before the rebooked flight. The cost of subsequent swabs for your recovered worker will be waived for a limited period.
The Government of the States of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had announced that starting from 15 September 2020, 0000 hrs, all passengers departing from Singapore for the Tamil Nadu State (i.e. Tiruchirappalli, Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore) and the West Bengal State (i.e. Kolkata) of India will be required to take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 before boarding.
The test must be taken within 96 hours prior to departure.
If the passenger takes the test on 1 September 2020 and receives a negative result, they must travel by 5 September 2020, 2359 hrs.
With effect from flights on or after 1 October 2020, employers can no longer schedule pre-departure PCR testing via Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) or the Regional Medical Centres (RMC).
All Indian workers with live or cancelled Work Permits and S Passes returning to Tamil Nadu or West Bengal states of India on or after 1 October 2020, please submit your pre-departure COVID test request online. Successful applicants will be notified of the approval via the email registered in the form within five working days.
The COVID test will be conducted at any of the GP clinics listed in ICA’s SafeTravel website. The following procedures will not apply to you.
The following procedures apply ONLY for Indian workers with live or cancelled Work Permits and S Passes who need pre-departure COVID tests in order to return to the Tamil Nadu or West Bengal States of India on flight dates on or before 30 September 2020.
Other MOM pass holders, such as Employment Pass or Dependant’s Pass holders, and regardless of travel dates, should refer to SafeTravel Pre-Departure Test Application to apply for the PCR test.
Workers currently scheduled for Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) by employers
I.e. Live work pass holders residing in dormitories or construction, marine, and process work pass holders residing in the community.
For RRT workers who are unable to schedule for a swab date before flight departure or are COVID-recovered, please refer to “All other Work Permit, S Pass, Special Pass”.
Scheduling an appointment
- Employers should schedule the RRT swab test of your workers to be 4 days before the flight departure date via the Health Promotion Board’s Swab Registration System.
- After the worker’s swab has been scheduled, employers should request for a Memo On COVID-19 Real Time RT-PCR Swab Test Result by submitting the following details of your Tamil Nadu or West Bengal workers:
- Worker’s name, FIN, and passport number
- Flight number and flight date
- Image of air ticket or proof of purchase of air ticket
- Employer’s name, handphone, and email address
- Date of the scheduled swab
- If the above is incomplete, MOM will be unable to process your request.
- If you’re cancelling your worker’s Work Permit, you should do so only after the RRT has been conducted.
Transport to the Regional Swab Centres (RSC)
- For workers residing in dormitories, employers should arrange for transport to the RSC via the dormitory operator. For workers residing in the community, employers should ensure that your worker has dedicated transport to and from the RSC.
- You must provide the following to RSC when your worker arrives for the swab:
- Proof of MOM pass holder
- Valid passport
AND
- Air ticket or proof of ticket purchase
After the swab appointment
- Swab results are generally available in about two days and a Memo On COVID-19 Real Time RT-PCR Swab Test Result will be issued to employers via email if your worker’s swab result is negative, no later than the day before the flight.
- Please ensure that your worker brings a printed hard copy of their test result when they are checking in at the airport for their flight.
- Please ensure that your worker is not on Quarantine Order or Stay-Home Notice on departure day.
- Please note that your worker will be unable to fly if their test results are inconclusive or positive.
- Workers who are tested positive for the first time would be subjected to isolation or treatment. You and your worker will be informed on the procedures by the medical professionals. You are advised to work with the airline to request refunds or deferment of your worker’s flight ticket, and to arrange another swab test to be 4 days before the next available flight.
- If your worker has inconclusive results, you are advised to work with the airlines to schedule the earliest available next flight and re-swab your worker as soon as possible, 4 days before the rebooked flight.
All other MOM Work Permit, S Pass or Special Pass holders
Scheduling an appointment
- Employers repatriating workers who are not eligible for RRT scheduling should request for a PCR test to be conducted 4 days before the flight departure date by submitting the following details of your Tamil Nadu and West Bengal workers:
- Worker’s name, FIN, and passport number
- Flight number and flight date
- Image of air ticket or proof of purchase of air ticket
- Employer’s name, mailing address, handphone, email address, and UEN (for billing purposes)
- Date and location of the scheduled swab
- Upon submitting the online form, employers will receive an SMS from your assigned Regional Medical Centre’s Managing Agent (MA) one day before your appointment date to confirm the appointment.
- Please SMS your respective Cluster MA directly (Annex 1) only if you are scheduling a same-day or next-day appointment.
- The cost of the swab test will be $186 and will be billed separately to the employer via email nearer to the appointment date.
Transport to the RMC
- For workers residing in dormitories, employers should arrange for transport to the RMC via the dormitory operator. For workers residing in the community, employers should ensure that your worker has dedicated transport to and from the RMC.
- You must provide the following to RMC when your worker arrives for the swab:
- Proof of MOM pass holder
- Valid passport
AND
- Air ticket or proof of ticket purchase
After the swab appointment
- Swab results are generally available in about two days and a Memo On COVID-19 Real Time RT-PCR Swab Test Result will be issued to employers via email if your worker’s swab result is negative, no later than the day before the flight.
- Please ensure that your worker brings a printed hard copy of their test result when they are checking in at the airport for their flight.
- Please ensure that your worker is not on Quarantine Order or SHN on departure day.
- Please note that your worker will be unable to fly if their test results are inconclusive or positive.
- Workers who are tested positive for the first time would be subjected to isolation and/or treatment. You and your worker will be informed on the procedures by the medical professionals. You are advised to work with the airline to request refunds or deferment of your worker’s flight ticket, and to arrange another swab test to be 4 days before the next available flight.
- If your worker has inconclusive results, you are advised to work with the airlines to schedule the earliest available next flight and re-swab your worker as soon as possible, 4 days before the rebooked flight.
- If your worker is COVID-recovered with positive or inconclusive results, you are advised to work with the airlines to schedule the earliest available next flight and re-swab your worker as soon as possible, 4 days before the rebooked flight. The cost of subsequent swabs for your recovered worker will be waived for a limited period.