All short-term visitors will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore from 11.59pm on Monday (March 23) in view of the heightened risks of importing coronavirus cases into the country.

Work pass holders and their dependants will be allowed to return to Singapore only if they work in sectors that provide essential services such as healthcare and transport.

This will also kick in at 11.59pm on Monday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement on Sunday.

Also, all doctors in public and private hospitals, as well as private specialist clinics, have been advised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to immediately stop or defer accepting new foreign patients who do not reside in Singapore.

They have also been instructed to encourage their current foreign patients to seek continued care in their home countries.

An internal circular issued by the MOH to private and public healthcare institutions on Thursday (March 19), which was seen by The Straits Times, said it was necessary "to conserve limited healthcare resources for Singapore to cater to managing Covid-19 cases as well as the existing needs of our local patients."

The circular said the latest measures will last until further advised by the MOH.

"Failure of the specialist to comply with the above may adversely impact public health and safety, and as such, will result in more stringent considerations of subsequent applications by MOH," the circular said.

Article source:https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/coronavirus-moh-advises-doctors-in-singapore-to-stop-or-defer-accepting-non-resident