COVID Recovery for Travellers

15 DEC 2021

[Updated 31 March 2022]

Testing positive for COVID-19 and recovery protocols for travellers residing in hotels*
*Including both Stay-Home Notice (SHN)-Dedicated Facilities (SDFs) and non-SDF hotels, as well as other managed residences such as serviced apartments.

The resources on this page provide general information on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, and the recovery protocols for travellers residing in hotels. Travellers are advised to follow these health protocols to protect yourself and others around you.

Key notes:

  • The following groups of travellers are responsible for all costs associated with COVID-19 treatment and recovery:

    • All Short-Term Pass Holders, throughout their stay in Singapore
    • Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents / Long-Term Pass Holders (SCs/PRs/LTPHs) above 12 years of age (i.e., born before 2010) and are not fully vaccinated
    • All SCs/PRs/LTPHs who are subjected to Restricted Category border measures and test positive or develop onset of symptoms for COVID-19 within 7 days of their arrival to Singapore, regardless of their vaccination status.
  • Travellers are also responsible for all costs of COVID-19 tests to be taken as part of border health measures or health protocols (e.g. if identified as a close contact), and if tested positive, the necessary arrangements for self-isolation, including in self-sourced accommodation.
  • Travellers may depart Singapore when they are recovered and officially discharged from their isolation and/or tested negative for COVID-19 in accordance with Ministry of Health (MOH) health protocols.

For Singapore’s border health measures, please refer to SafeTravel Website.

If you feel unwell

If you feel unwell while serving your SHN, follow the instructions in the notice issued to you:

  • If you test negative for COVID-19 and are not placed on a recovery protocol following medical consultation, you should continue to serve the remaining duration of your SHN.

  • If you test positive for COVID-19 and are placed on a recovery protocol, during the recovery period and following your discharge from the recovery protocol, you are not required to undergo further testing as part of the border health measures you were originally subjected to. Instead, you should follow the protocols for the recovery procedure assigned to you. Your medical provider will be able to advise you on the recovery protocol you are placed on and the next steps. If you receive a SMS (Short Message Service) from the Ministry of Health (MOH) following your positive test, you should also follow all the instructions in the SMS.
  • After discharge from the relevant recovery protocol, you do not need to adhere to further testing/ SHN obligations as part of the border health measures you were originally subjected to.

If you are not under any border health measures but feel unwell, seek medical advice at a clinic immediately via private transport. The doctor may administer further COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and/or Antigen Rapid Tests (ARTs) depending on your condition and risk assessment, and will advise you on the appropriate steps to take to facilitate your recovery.

If you are experiencing emergency symptoms such as chest pains or shortness of breath at any point of time, call 995 for urgent conveyance to a medical facility.

If you feel well but tested positive for COVID-19

If you feel well but tested positive for COVID-19 e.g. as part of border health measures:

  • If you fulfil any of the following criteria, you should receive medical advice even if you are feeling well (If you tested positive for on-arrival test or tests done at a Test Center, a telemedicine provider will subsequently get in touch for further assessment. If you tested positive on self-administered ART, you should seek medical advice at a clinic.):
    • Individuals aged 70 years old and above
    • Children less than 1 years old
    • Children less than 12 years old and have any of these conditions:
      • Congenital condition or chronic condition that affects the heart, lung, brain, nerves or muscles
      • Diabetes Mellitus or Hypertension
    • Pregnant
    • Had an organ transplant surgery before
    • Have any disease or are taking medications which weaken the immune system
    • Diagnosed with cancer before (including blood cancers)
    • On dialysis
    • Diagnosed with HIV or AIDS
    • Have disease affecting heart, lungs, kidneys, liver or brain that required hospital admission in the last 6 months
  • Otherwise, for the first 72 hours, isolate at your hotel or residential accommodation and follow these instructions.
  • Following exit from 72-hour isolation, you do not need to adhere to further testing/ SHN obligations as part of the travel health control measures you were originally subjected to.

If you receive a Health Risk Notice (HRN) via SMS

Please follow the instructions in the SMS and the relevant webpage.

Self-administered ART kits can be purchased online or from pharmacies and drugstores around Singapore. Hotels may also carry self-administered ART kits for purchase. If you are still serving SHN or tested positive on an COVID-19 test and are isolating, you should purchase your ART kits through contactless methods.

If you have further questions, please visit this FAQ page for more information.

If you require further information on Singapore’s travel health control measures, you may visit the following sites for more information.

If you have further questions, check out our FAQs.