Clarification by Minister for Health
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns a factual correction by Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung regarding the digital SG Arrival Card requirements for travelers. He specified that the digital declaration applies to all foreigners and returning residents arriving by air and sea following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung explained that the Ministry of Health and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority minimized the questions to a bare minimum. He addressed concerns that the simplified form might not be helpful enough and indicated a potential review to include more questions if necessary. This statement ensures the official record accurately reflects the scope of the current digital health declaration process for entering Singapore.
Transcript
The following statement was in the reply given by the Minister for Health (Mr Ong Ye Kung) during the discussion on the Ministerial Statements on at the Sitting of 9 January 2023:
The Minister for Health (Mr Ong Ye Kung): We have always had an SG Arrival Card and it is physical. But because of COVID-19, everything went digital. So, now, the SG Arrival Card has become a digital declaration. And in that process, the Ministry of Health (MOH), with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has very thoroughly gone through and reduced the questions to the bare minimum, to the extent that the Member feels it may not be so helpful. Maybe we will review to see whether we can add a few more questions. [Please refer to "Safe and Orderly Restoration of Singapore's Air Connectivity", Official Report, 9 January 2023, Vol 95, Issue 79, Ministerial Statements section.]
Written statement by Mr Ong Ye Kung circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to the reply given during the discussion on the Ministerial Statements at the Sitting of 9 January 2023. My reply should read as follows:
The Minister for Health (Mr Ong Ye Kung): We have always had an SG Arrival Card for foreigners and it is physical. But because of COVID-19, everything went digital. So, now, the SG Arrival Card has become a digital declaration for all foreigners, as well as returning residents arriving by air and sea. And in that process, the Ministry of Health (MOH), with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has very thoroughly gone through and reduced the questions to the bare minimum, to the extent that the Member feels it may not be so helpful. Maybe we will review to see whether we can add a few more questions.