Singapore During Tough Travel Times

View from the world's largest infinity pool in Singapore
View from the world’s largest infinity pool in Singapore. Tab Hauser photo.

Traveling During COVID-19 in 2022

By Oscar Davis

In these uncertain times, one thing that the Covid-19 disease has done is upend and ruin the travel industry. Flights have been canceled, countries have been closed to tourism and on it goes. It is a difficult time to travel

But there is a silver lining in this cloud. If you get the right travel insurance in Singapore that covers Covid-19 issues, you should be able to come and see Singapore like normal. The people at Moneysmart are more than happy to help you find the right insurance.

They want to make sure you can enjoy their country and all it has to offer with minimum risk to you. Keep reading to get the details.

Fish in the tank in Singapore aquarium.
Fish in the tank in Singapore aquarium.

There is still a risk

That element is what governs the travel industry making it difficult for tourists to enjoy Singapore and its great culture. No matter how safe it is to travel and how many countries are open again, there is always a risk of contracting this disease.

That is why, when you are making a short-term visit to Singapore, your travel insurance needs to be accompanied by Covid-19 coverage. This coverage must be in the amount of at least S$30,000, an amount based on the average Covid bill sizes at local hospitals.

Remember, if your treatment and other Covid-related expenses go above the S$30,000 mark, you will have to make up the difference out of your own pocket. Make sure you buy enough coverage so your bank account is not as devastated as you are by this disease.

The total amount of your coverage can be a lot higher than S$30,000 just to make sure your medical expenses and treatment are fully paid for. It is in your best interest to get more coverage than you may need.

As always it is better to have the coverage and not need it than it is to not have the coverage and need it. Protect your bank account and health by purchasing the right amount of insurance.

Who has to buy this travel insurance coverage?

When you are planning on traveling to Singapore, there are certain short-term visitors that have to buy this travel insurance. Those tourists and other visitors who are coming to this country via Air Travel Pass (ATP), Reciprocal Green Lanes (RGLs), and Vaccinated Travel Lane (Air) must have this insurance coverage to get their entry visas.

To get your travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage, you need to buy it before you enter the country. There are a lot of insurance carriers that will provide this coverage for you including Singapore-based travel insurance providers.

If you are not sure which Singapore insurance provider to use, contact Moneysmart and they will be happy to guide you to the best provider that offers the best protection and premiums.

One of their representatives will be glad to answer your questions and make sure you get the proper coverage for your stay in the country. Also, you need to bring an electronic or physical copy of their policy to speed up their entry into the country.

This mandatory policy does not include or affect Singaporean citizens or permanent residents. The reason for this exclusion is that they have access to different government medical programs that will help cover their medical costs.

This protection covers them where it is applicable and if they contract Covid-19 within 14 days of their return to the country.

Singapore Marina Bay.
Singapore’s Marina Bay.

Travel insurance for long term pass holders

The responsibility for obtaining travel insurance with Covid-19 protection for all Work Permit, Training Work Permit, and S Pass holders falls on the shoulders of the employers. These workers are not entering the country with their dependents.

Since 11/2021, all workers must be fully vaccinated and the employer needs to buy a minimum of S$10,000 insurance policy to cover their employees’ expenses. That is if the employee contracts Covid-19 within 14 days of their arrival.

Employers are not allowed to pass the cost of the insurance policy on to their employees if the employee has left Singapore for work and is returning from another country.

If the employee left the country for personal reasons, then the cost needs to be amicably divided between employer and employee. If the employee is a new work pass holder and plans on working in Singapore, then the employer must bear that cost and cannot pass it on to the employee through other methods.

For other work passes, both the employer and employee need to work out a suitable payment arrangement.

What to do if an employee contracts Covid-19

If the employee is at an SHN dedicated site, the staff needs to be informed so that proper arrangements can be made. If the employee develops further symptoms like respiratory infection or a fever, then they need to use the app.

If the employee works at another location, then for non-emergency situations the pass holder needs to call the Safe Travel Helpline at 6812-5555 and for medical emergencies, they are to call 995.

If their symptoms get worse, then they are to use the app linked immediately above.

Some final words

Travel in this delicate time is still possible. You just have to make sure you meet all the requirements. To see if you meet all those requirements and to buy the right travel insurance, contact Moneysmart. Their representatives will be happy to help guide you through the system.

Oscar DavisOscar Davis is a freelance writer from Leeds, UK, who travels to Asia regularly. 

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