As COVID-19 has reached a global pandemic, the Ministry of Health (MOH) updated its travel advisory that Singaporeans should defer all non-essential travel abroad.
Additionally, as of 11.59pm on 16 March, anyone entering Singapore with a recent travel history to Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom or ASEAN countries within the last 14 days will be issued a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN).
This includes Singapore residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) then released a joint statement with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation with more details.
Employees who go ahead with non-essential travel plans despite the updated advisory may have to serve their SHN, quarantine, or Leave of Absence (LOA) using their own annual leave upon return.
Those who do not have enough annual leave may be required to take advance or unpaid leave.
In these cases, employers and self-employed people will also not be eligible to receive the $100 per day quarantine allowance that MOM provides.
MOM advised that employers should, as much as possible, accommodate to workers’ requests to avoid making work-related trips during this time.
However, if work-related travel is necessary, employers will be expected to provide additional paid leave to help employees cover their isolation period.
This is also meant to support employees in case they experience delayed return to Singapore due to flight cancellations or the need to obtain pre-entry approval.
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