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Reuters

For months, Briton Jamie Pierre has been trying to get approval to travel to Singapore for his new job there.
But after repeated checks online plus multiple emails and messages, he is frustrated, confused, and still without an entry permit.
Now, as the city state says it may ease Covid-19 quarantines in September for vaccinated people, he hardly dares to feel optimistic.
“It does give me some hope,” said Pierre, 32, who works for a marketing procurement platform. “But ... I’m kind of tempering that hope” with worry of more delays, he added.
Singapore sees quarantine-free travel, fewer Covid-19 rules from September
The pandemic has disrupted global mobility on a scale that hasn’t been seen since World War II.
Governments in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, China, Thailand and Hong Kong, have maintained quarantine and entry requirements.
Singapore – long known as a global financial hub for highly mobile foreign professionals – has had especially strict border controls, quarantine and contact tracing. It has been one of the most successful countries in curbing the pandemic, with 39 deaths.
But for its legions of foreign workers – who make up one-fifth of Singapore’s population of 5.7 million – the restrictions have been a nightmare, with many stranded abroad despite having jobs and visas, and others afraid to leave for fear of not being allowed to return.

The government recently said it was considering quarantine-free travel for people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 starting in September, when 80 per cent of the population should be inoculated.
It also plans to review some virus restrictions in early August, when two-thirds are on track to be inoculated.
The pandemic has forced Singapore to weigh its reputation as one of the world’s most accessible business climates against its efforts to control the virus.
“As a small economy, Singapore must and will remain open and connected to the world,” the manpower and trade ministries said in a written reply to questions. “We cannot afford nor do we have any intention to close ourselves off to the world for longer than necessary.”
Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble: late August review for delayed deal
Since last year, foreign work visa holders have needed special permits to enter Singapore. The city state largely stopped accepting new applications from most countries in May after a surge in Covid-19 cases globally.
Although many workers have successfully entered, others have been frustrated. A Facebook group with 18,000 members features accounts of navigating an opaque permit system.
There is no official data on how many foreign workers are stranded, but an online petition seeking entry for vaccinated passholders from India has nearly 5,000 signatories, many of whom share tales of families separated for months on end.
Other countries currently pursing zero-Covid strategies, such as China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Taiwan, will be keeping a keen eye on Singapore’s progress
Gareth Leather, Capital Economics
Singapore-based business owner Yigit Ali Ural travelled to Turkey last month for a family emergency. Uncertain of getting approval to return, he gave up his rented apartment, losing thousands of dollars in deposit.
“We are in limbo – whether to stay in Turkey and try to come back to Singapore. Or just forget it,” said Ural, who is Turkish-American.
Pierre has been working remotely until he’s allowed to enter Singapore. He has spent months in Airbnbs and temporary accommodation in Britain with his wife and toddler.
“I have to essentially work irregular hours to be able to keep communication with the region,” said Pierre, calling the situation “stressful”.




Singapore’s government said approvals are based on Covid-19 risk levels of the countries applicants are coming from, and it prioritises more critical travellers.
Singapore’s tentative reopening moves are being closely watched - not only by anxious expatriates but also by other countries that are further behind in vaccinations.
“Other countries currently pursing zero-Covid strategies, such as China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Taiwan, will be keeping a keen eye on Singapore’s progress,” said Gareth Leather at Capital Economics.
Frustration as Singapore is ‘caught in transition’ to living with Covid-19
A decrease in the number of foreigners last year pushed Singapore’s population down 0.3 per cent to 5.69 million, the first drop since 2003.
The number of employment passholders, defined as professionals earning at least S$4,500 a month, dropped 8.6 per cent to 177,100 in 2020.
For now, expatriates who have not seen their families since the pandemic began are keeping a close watch on the September plan.
“Going there is easy. But what are my chances of actually coming back?” said Maura Geertsma, who is Dutch. “I need to be confident that I’m able to return to Singapore.”


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A cyclist rides along Marina Bay overlooking Singapore’s financial business district. Photo: AFP

Office workers walk out during their lunch break at Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore on August 5, 2021. (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

In Singapore, expatriates hit by coronavirus pay cuts, lay-offs fear for future

Part of Singapore’s skyline pictured at dusk on June 8. Photo: EPA

epa08474223 Travellers wearing protective masks walk under the departure sign in the departure hall of Changi Airport in Singapore, 09 June 2020. Singapore's Changi Airport will resume transit flights for travellers and will launch a 'green lane' to various cities in China such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, in order to facilitate essential business and official travel between the two countries. EPA-EFE/WALLACE WOON

A Singapore Airlines passenger jet taxis along the tarmac as it arrives at Changi International Airport terminal in Singapore on June 8, 2020, as Singapore prepares to reopen its borders after shutting them to curb the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

epa08429322 Pedestrians wearing masks walk past shophouses in Singapore, 18 May 2020. Singapore is looking to ease its circuit breaker measures as the number of coronavirus and COVID-19 disease community cases drops. A majority of COVID-19 cases stem from the population of foreign workers living in dormitories. EPA-EFE/WALLACE WOON

FILE PHOTO: Migrant workers in essential services wearing safety vests cross a street at Orchard Road, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Singapore, May 27, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble: late August review for quarantine-free coronavirus deal as city state grapples with outbreak

The Merlion statue in Singapore. The country has been struggling to contain a recent coronavirus outbreak. Photo: EPA-EFE

epa09154413 A man is silhouetted against the tailplanes of Singapore Airlines commercial jets at the Changi Airport in Singapore, 23 April 2021. Singapore is restricting arrivals from India, including both short- and long-term pass holders who have travelled to India in the past 14 days. This will include any visitors who have transited through India. An extension of 7 days, in addition to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period will also be implemented owing to the rise in cases of COVID-19 in India and the emergence of new variants of the virus. EPA-EFE/WALLACE WOON

Singapore’s ‘living with Covid-19’ plan includes relaxed rules, quarantine-free travel from September

A wet market in Singapore is cordoned off to limit entry and exit points. Photo: Reuters

People above 70 years old wait in an observation area after getting a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a vaccination center in Singapore January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su

In Singapore, vaccinated people made up three-quarters of recent Covid-19 cases, but few fell ill

A health care worker takes a nose swab for a coronavirus test in Singapore, which has seen a recent surge in cases. Photo: Reuters

epa09343768 A man walks past buildings in the financial district in Singapore, 14 July 2021. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore's economy grew by 14.3 percent in the second quarter of 2021 year-on-year. This is attributed to the fall in the GDP last year due to circuit breaker measures implemented at the height of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Singapore from April until June 2020. EPA-EFE/WALLACE WOON

‘Zero Covid’ economies like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia risk being left behind: EIU report

Water-filled barriers are seen in the Hong Kong central business district. A report warned years of border closures would drive economies toward self-sufficiency and could have negative effects. Photo: Reuters

epa09357504 Defence Force personal carry bags at a quarantine hotel in the central business district in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 22 July 2021. The stay-at-home orders for coronavirus-hit Greater Sydney and surrounds have been tightened with non-essential retail to close and all construction paused until 30 July. EPA-EFE/JOEL CARRETT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

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Singapore has largely managed to contain Covid-19 with strict border controls, quarantine and contact tracing
But the restrictions have left many foreign workers stranded abroad, and others fear leaving in case they are not allowed to return



The city’s restrictions have left many foreign workers stranded abroad, and others fear leaving in case they are not able to return.


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