Swift Border Policy Response to Surge in Imported COVID-19 Cases
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the management of Dependant's Pass (DP) holders during COVID-19 surges and whether their entry should be delinked from Work Pass holders to enhance border policy efficiency. Mr Yip Hon Weng questioned the volume of DPs issued and the rationale for allowing their entry despite rising imported cases. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng explained that entry is calibrated by country risk levels rather than pass types to safeguard public health while maintaining workforce stability. He highlighted that barring family members could lead to Work Pass holders leaving Singapore, further disrupting businesses already managing a sizeable entry backlog. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng emphasized the need for a balanced approach that avoids unnecessary disruption to families and the economy during the pandemic.
Transcript
42 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how many Dependant's Passes have been issued in the past year; (b) why are Dependant's Pass holders not promptly disallowed entry when there was a surge in imported COVID-19 cases; and (c) whether Work Permits and Dependant's Passes can be delinked to allow more efficient revisions to border policies in case of a rebound in COVID-19 cases.
Dr Tan See Leng: Travellers arriving from the same country have the same risk of incubating COVID-19, as reflected in the country’s COVID-19 situation. The granting of entry approval is, therefore, calibrated based on the risk levels of countries and regions that the applicant has travelled to.
Dependant's Pass (DP) holders accompany the Work Pass holder, who is here to work. If the family of a Work Pass holder is not approved to enter, it is likely that the Work Pass holder will also choose not to enter. There are also DP holders who have been separated from their family members due to the border restrictions since 2020. A policy that prevents DP holders from entering Singapore until all other Work Pass holders have been able to enter, will likely lead to Work Pass holders choosing to leave Singapore in order to be reunited with their family.
The fact remains that our entry approval process, carried out to safeguard public health, has resulted in a sizeable backlog of existing Work Pass holders and dependants who are outside of Singapore, and who have yet to obtain approval to enter. Businesses understand the need for these measures and support them, even though it comes at considerable disruption to them. We should, therefore, not adopt approaches that cause more disruption than necessary.