As Singapore gradually reopens its borders to international travel, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) will introduce an additional measure to enhance compliance with the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) regime and thereby reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by incoming travellers to the local community.

2         With effect from 10 August 2020, 2359hrs, all incoming travellers, including Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, Long-Term Pass holders^[1], Work Pass holders^[2] and their dependants, entering Singapore who are serving their SHN outside of SHN dedicated facilities (SDFs)^[3] will need to don an electronic monitoring device throughout the 14-day SHN. Those aged 12 and below will be exempted from this requirement.

Leveraging Electronic Monitoring Devices to Enhance the SHN Regime

3          Since 21 March 2020, all incoming travellers have to serve a 14-day SHN upon entering Singapore. They serve their SHN either at their place of residence, or at SDFs,  and are tested for COVID-19 at designated community testing facilities before the end of their SHN period.

4          ICA, MOM and MOE have been monitoring SHN compliance via a combination of manual and automated text messages and phone/video calls, and physical house visits. Strict enforcement action is taken against those who breach the SHN requirements.

5          With the progressive lifting of travel restrictions, the use of wearable electronic monitoring devices will enable ICA, MOM and MOE to monitor those serving SHN at their place of residence^[4] more effectively.

Use of the Electronic Monitoring Devices

6          On arrival in Singapore, travellers serving their SHN at their place of residence will be issued with an electronic monitoring device at the checkpoints, after immigration clearance. They will need to activate the electronic monitoring device upon reaching their place of residence. If the device is not activated as required, the authorities will follow up to determine their location, and assist to resolve any technical difficulties, or take enforcement action, as the case may be.

7          During the 14-day period, persons wearing these devices may receive notifications on these devices and need to acknowledge them in a timely manner. Any attempt to leave the place of residence or tamper with the electronic device will trigger an alert to the authorities, who will conduct follow-up investigations, except when the person is leaving his/her place of residence for his/her appointment for the COVID-19 test. After serving their SHN, they need to deactivate the device and dispose of or return it in accordance with the instructions.

8          The devices use GPS and 4G/Bluetooth signals to determine if persons on SHN are within the range of their place of residence. The devices do not store any personal data and do not have any voice/video recording function. Data transmitted from the devices to the authorities’ backend system, such as the GPS and 4G/Bluetooth signal data, is protected by end-to-end certificate-based encryption.

Safeguarding Data Security

9          The authorities will abide strictly by public sector data protection rules in managing and protecting personal data collected by these devices, which includes the recommendations of the Public Sector Data Security Review Committee^[5]. Only Government officials authorised by the respective authorities will have access to the data for the purposes of monitoring and investigation.

Importance of Complying with SHN Requirements

10        To safeguard the health and safety of our population, ICA, MOM and MOE remind everyone to comply with the SHN requirements. Those who fail to do so, including persons who tamper and/or remove the electronic monitoring device during the SHN period, will be liable to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. The penalty may be a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. For foreigners, ICA/MOM may take further administrative actions, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of permits and passes to remain/work in Singapore.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
MINISTRY OF MANPOWER
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
3 AUGUST 2020