Singapore currently has 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though more than half (53) have already been deemed as fully recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

Despite this, we’re not letting our guard down and should still carry out the necessary precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Case in point? The Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

MOM is now reportedly rejecting 500 applications daily for work-pass holders who have returned to Singapore from China. This is up from the previous 400 daily rejections in the week when the measures were first implemented.

According to MOM in a statement, the implementation of such measures was to help manage and control the inflow of these work-pass holders.

Working In Singapore

MOM reported that they now approve an average of 220 applications in a day, and this is up from the initial average of 200 applications approved in a day during the first week the entry approval requirements for work-pass holders who have been to China were enforced.

The divisional director of MOM’s work-pass division, Mrs Penny Han, revealed that most employers abided by the entry approval requirements despite the short notice.

She said, “They understand the need for such measures to help Singapore manage the evolving COVID-19 situation and we are grateful for their support. However, there remains a small minority who choose to blatantly disregard these safeguards. We would like to remind employers of the need to take these requirements seriously. The COVID-19 situation is still evolving and we cannot afford to be complacent.”

Previously, MOM had no choice but to revoke the work passes of 11 workers who ignored the fact that their applications were not approved and still tried to gain entry into Singapore.

The workers ended up being sent back to their home countries and they will no longer be able to work in Singapore forever. Their employers also had their work-pass privileges suspended for a year.

And just so you know, even if one gets approval, he or she would need to go through a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (previously it was a Leave of Absence) before they can start work. Now you know why some shops have remained closed after Chinese New Year.

Break the rules and you’ll end like like these fellows.

Always Seek Approval

MOM took this chance to remind all employers to seek online approval for work-pass holders who have recently travelled to China before letting them make travel plans to enter Singapore.

MOM also said that they will be taking strict actions – revoking of employees’ work passes and suspension of employers’ work-pass privileges – against those who do not comply with the requirements.

By now you should know that they meant what they said.