Singapore bans entry from South Africa and 6 other African countries amid new Covid variant from that region

SINGAPORE will be barring non-resident visitors from 7 African countries from entering the country in the light of recent news reports that the new B.1.1.529 Covid-19 variant, a potentially more contagious novel coronavirus variant, may be circulating there.

From 11.59 pm on Saturday (Nov 27), all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have travelled to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore.

The new restrictions will apply to visitors who have already obtained prior approval to enter the country, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a statement.

Singaporeans and permanent residents returning from these countries will have to serve a 10-day stay-home notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility.

MOH said the latest border restrictions will first take effect for 4 weeks. The authorities will review and extend the restrictions if necessary thereafter.

Currently, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe are categorised as Category IV countries under Singapore's border control protocol, while South Africa is placed under Category II.

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Visitors with recent travel history to Category IV countries are required to serve a 10-day SHN at a dedicated facility upon arrival.

South Africa will now be placed under Category IV as part of the new measures.

MOH noted that while there have been reports suggesting that the new variant is more transmissible, there is still insufficient evidence to determine if the new variant is associated with any change in disease severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy.

"These aspects are being investigated. MOH will evaluate the data as it emerges and review our border measures accordingly," it said.