Starting March 15, travelers arriving from Taiwan and other places with low infection rates will only need to take an unsupervised self-swab antigen rapid test (ART) within 24 hours of entering Singapore, a top government official said Friday.

The move replaces the existing protocol, which requires arrivals from Category I countries and regions, who are not required to undergo quarantine, to take a supervised self-swab rapid test at one of the testing centers located across the city within 24 hours of arrival.

Macao, China and Taiwan are Category I countries/regions with low infection numbers, according to Singapore media.

Gan Kim Yong, Singapore minister for trade and industry and co-chair of the country’s multi-ministry task force (MTF) on Covid-19, said the move was to further simplify border measures.

“Effective March 15, instead of a supervised self-swab ART, vaccinated travelers and individuals from Cat 1 countries and regions will just need to take an unsupervised self-swab ART within 24 hours of their arrival,” Gan said during an online MTF meeting.

However, the travelers are required to report their test results and still need to take a pre-departure test within two days of leaving for Singapore, according to Singapore media.

Imported infection numbers have stayed very low over the past few weeks, according to the MTF.

These infections make up around 1 percent of total daily infections, and many countries have already passed the peak of their Omicron infection waves, according to the MTF.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel