Percentage of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for Each Country in Relation to Total Arrivals from Those Countries

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Health (a) since April 2020, what has been the percentage of confirmed COVID-19 cases for each country in relation to total arrivals from those countries; and (b) whether the Ministry will require all foreigners arriving into Singapore to procure travel insurance, including hospitalisation insurance for coverage of COVID-19.

Mr Speaker, less than 1% of our total arrivals since 1 April 2020 tested positive for COVID-19. Most of the arrivals during this period were from Malaysia, Mainland China, Indonesia and India. The proportion of imported cases out of the arrivals from each of these countries and regions was 0.04%, 0.01%, 1.6% and 3.7% respectively.

From 1 January 2021 onwards, all Work Permit and S Pass holders are required to have medical insurance to pay for COVID-19 medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Singapore, should the pass holder develop symptoms or test positive within the first 14 days of arrival into Singapore. As employers of Work Permit and S Pass holders are responsible for their medical treatment in Singapore, this requirement helps protect employers against medical expenses.

From 1 February 2021 onwards, all short-term visitors applying to enter Singapore under the Air Travel Pass and Reciprocal Green Lanes have to purchase travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Singapore. The travel insurance will help them pay for their costs of medical treatment in Singapore. The visitors can purchase the travel insurance from Singapore-based or overseas insurers.

The Government will review whether to extend the insurance requirement to other travellers, taking into consideration the COVID-19 situations in their country of origin, as well as the availability of products in the insurance market.