VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Singaporean Government had announced earlier this week that it was restricting Chinese passport holders issued in Hubei or new visitors who have traveled to Hubei in the past 14 days, to enter or transit to the country. It also announced that returning residents (Singaporeans/PRs) and long-term pass holders and recent travelers from Hubei who have already entered Singapore will go through a period of quarantine.

In addition to this, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has been instructed to stop issuing new visas and suspend previously issued visas to PRC passport holders with immediate effect. Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said in Singapore, Tuesday, that due to the accelerated risk level, these restrictions are being activated with immediate effect.

He added, “ICA will also not issue any more new visas, and they will suspend all visas that have been issued previously. And so that's the position we are taking three additional measures on top of the three that we had announced today, because of the heightened risk. I said yesterday that we have a comprehensive plan in place. And we have contingencies covering, our travel plans covering all different contingencies. So, these were measures that are part of our plans. And because of the escalating situation, we have decided to activate them now”. 

Singapore’s Ministry of Health through its press release on Tuesday confirmed the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will suspend the issuance of all forms of new visas to those with PRC passports issued in Hubei with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), in a press release on Tuesday said that the Ministry will reject all new work pass applications from foreign workers from Hubei until further notice. The Ministry has already rejected 30 applications as of Tuesday (28 Jan). However, the Ministry has assured that applications for renewal from existing Work Pass workers from Hubei will not be affected.

As of Wednesday (29 Jan 2020), Malaysia had joined Singapore in banning visitors from Wuhan and its surrounding Hubei. A statement released by the Prime Minister’s office stated that, with immediate effect, authorities will temporarily halt the issuance of all types of visas for Chinese citizens from the specified area. (VOI/SAYEE SHREE L.R/AHM)