Singapore Could Not Have Imposed Travel Restrictions On India Earlier, This Is Why

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Singapore has always been one of the fastest countries to react to any ongoing developments with the pandemic. For instance, we were one of the first to screen for COVID-19 at the border. We were also the first in Asia to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in December last year.

However, we cannot be the first to act against a bigger nation because offending them would have its repercussions. Remember when we supported the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s dismissal of China’s claims in the South China Sea? Shortly after, our SAF’s terrex vehicles were seized in Hong Kong enroute from Taiwan.

It took us a lot of time and effort to retrieve our terrex vehicles – for the first 6 weeks after the incident, Hong Kong did not respond to Singapore’s questions about why the vehicles were seized. Subsequently, Beijing warned Singapore to follow the One-China principle that China uses in its affairs with Taiwan. This incident had not only drawn unnecessary attention to SAF’s overseas training, it also strained the relationship between China and Singapore.

If we had imposed a travel ban on India too quickly, it would put our economic agreements with India at stake. More than half of Singapore’s exports to India are re-exports, some of which are created using raw materials from India. Other than generating income for the nation, manufacturing these re-exports also creates jobs. Even if India is not Singapore’s largest trading partner, straining our bilateral relationships would have dire economic consequences.

In taking actions during the pandemic, what we have done instead is to follow other nations’ lead in a timely manner. See a list of some countries that have imposed a travel restriction on India below.

 

Travel Restrictions On India by Other Nations

details as of 7 May 2021

# Country WEF Date Details of restrictions
1 China 3 Nov 2020 Foreign nationals living in India banned, including those holding valid Chinese visas or residence permits. Flight operations from India also suspended. Foreigners holding Chinese diplomatic, service, courtesy and C visas, or those with emergency/humanitarian needs are not affected.
2 New Zealand 11 Apr 2021

28 Apr 2021

All travellers from India banned until 28 April, including New Zealanders.

Entry ban on travellers who have been to India, Brazil, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea in the preceding 14 days. Only New Zealanders and immediate family members eligible to enter, with 14 days of isolation or quarantine.

3 Bangladesh 14 Apr 2021

26 Apr 2021

Flight operations from India suspended.

Ban on entry via land ports (e.g. by rail).

4 Hong Kong 20 Apr 2021 All flights from India and Pakistan suspended until 3 May.
5 Canada 23 Apr 2021 All direct flights from India and Pakistan suspended for 30 days.
6 United Kingdom 23 Apr 2021 Entry ban for travelers who have been to India in preceding 10 days. British or Irish passport holders, or people with UK residence rights, will be allowed in but must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days.
7 Singapore 24 Apr 2021

 

2 May 2021

 

7 May 2021

Entry and transit ban on all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have been to India in preceding 14 days. Singapore citizens returning from India to be on SHN for 21 days.

Entry and transit ban on all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have been to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in preceding 14 days.

Restrictions will apply to all travellers based on their travel history in the preceding 21 days (up from the previous 14 days).

8 Kuwait 24 Apr 2021 All commercial flights from India suspended.
9 Germany 24 Apr 2021 Entry ban on travellers from India. German nationals or those with a residence permit (short and long term visas not inclusive) allowed to return with 14 days quarantine.
10 UAE 24 Apr 2021 Entry ban on travellers from India. UAE citizens, diplomatic missions appointed by the countries, official delegations, businessmen travelling on chartered flights and those with golden residency are exempted.
11 Oman 26 Apr 2021 Entry ban on travellers from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan with the exception of Omani citizens, diplomats, health care workers and their families with 7 days quarantine.
12 Netherlands 26 Apr 2021 Flight operations from India suspended.
13 Italy 26 Apr 2021 Entry ban on travellers from India. Italian nationals or those with a residence permit (short and long term visas not inclusive) allowed to return with 14 days quarantine.
14 Iran 26 Apr 2021 All flights from India and Pakistan suspended.
15 Kenya 27 Apr 2021 All flights from India suspended.
16 Malaysia 28 Apr 2021 All flights from India suspended. Exemption given to Malaysian citizens, who will undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry.
17 Nepal 28 Apr 2021

 

3 May 2021

Ban on transit movement from India. Travellers with Nepal as a final destination still allowed.

All domestic (from 3 May) and international (from 5 May) flights banned until 14 May.

18 Indonesia 1 May 2021 Entry ban for foreigners who have been to India in preceding 14 days, returning Indonesians to be quarantined for 5 days.
19 Thailand 1 May 2021 Entry ban on travellers from India. Three Air India flights from New Delhi allowed to land in Thailand on May 1, 15 and 22 to help repatriate Thai citizens.
20 Taiwan 3 May 2021 Entry ban for travelers who have been to India in preceding 14 days, returning Taiwanese to spend 14 days in a quarantine facility.
21 Israel 3 May 2021 Israelis cannot travel to India as a final destination, but may take connecting flights through the country if layover is less than 12 hours. Israelis returning from India to have 10/14 days of isolation (with 2 or 1 negative PCR tests respectively).
22 Nigeria 4 May 2021 Entry ban for travelers who have been to India in preceding 14 days.
23 United States 4 May 2021 Entry ban for travelers who have been to India in preceding 14 days. Permanent U.S. residents and family members and some other non-U.S. citizens, such as students, are exempted.

 

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