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Singapore: Difference between revisions

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By law, if you are found to have any "serious" STI, such as chancroids, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and syphilis, the results must be reported to the Singapore Ministry of Health (SMOH). However, it seems that some clinics offer private and confidential STI tests in Singapore (see section below for details on this).  
By law, if you are found to have any "serious" STI, such as chancroids, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and syphilis, the results must be reported to the Singapore Ministry of Health (SMOH). However, it seems that some clinics offer private and confidential STI tests in Singapore (see section below for details on this).  


Regarding STIs, Singapore has especially strict laws concerning HIV/AIDS. If you have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, you are not allowed to enter Singapore as a tourist or immigrant. However, Singapore requires no testing in order to receive a basic tourist visa and there are no health checks at the border. If you would like to stay longer than the days allowed on your tourist visa, you'll typically be required to take TB and HIV tests.
Regarding STIs, Singapore has especially strict laws concerning HIV/AIDS. Until recently, if you were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, you weren't allowed to enter Singapore as a tourist or immigrant. While Singapore required no testing in order to receive a basic tourist visa and there were no health checks at the border, this was the official policy. However, in August 2015, Singapore lifted this ban for travelers. As reported by Action for AIDS Singapore: "The ban was lifted 'given the current context with more than 5,000 Singapore residents living with HIV and the availability of effective treatment for the disease.'"<ref>[http://afa.org.sg/portfolio-item/travel-ban-eased-31-aug-2015/ Ban on entry into Singapore eased for foreigners with HIV]</ref>


As stated by HIVTravel: "Foreign nationals with AIDS or who are HIV-positive are expelled. HIV-positive foreign spouses of Singaporeans are exempt and allowed to remain in Singapore. Entering with ARVs for personal use requires approval by authorities. Use local hospitals with caution: Singapore doctors are required to report anyone found to be HIV-positive to the authorities. Air travellers in transit in Singapore are not affected." Furthermore, "HIV-positive spouses of Singaporean citizens are allowed to stay in the country. Entering with antiretroviral medication for personal use: Prior approval by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is required, e-mail: hsa_info@hsa.gov.sg. In practice, such a permit will only be granted to HIV-positive spouses of Singaporean citizens. A declaration is not required at customs, however, the HSA permit needs to be presented in case of a routine check."<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=158 SINGAPORE - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref>
This new ease on restrictions does not apply to long-term visitors, expats or immigrants. As stated by HIVTravel: "Foreign nationals with AIDS or who are HIV-positive are expelled. HIV-positive foreign spouses of Singaporeans are exempt and allowed to remain in Singapore. Entering with ARVs for personal use requires approval by authorities. Use local hospitals with caution: Singapore doctors are required to report anyone found to be HIV-positive to the authorities. Air travellers in transit in Singapore are not affected." Furthermore, "HIV-positive spouses of Singaporean citizens are allowed to stay in the country. Entering with antiretroviral medication for personal use: Prior approval by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is required, e-mail: hsa_info@hsa.gov.sg. In practice, such a permit will only be granted to HIV-positive spouses of Singaporean citizens. A declaration is not required at customs, however, the HSA permit needs to be presented in case of a routine check."<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=158 SINGAPORE - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref>


It also seems that anyone with an STI is technically not allowed from to immigrate to Singapore. According to Singaporean guidelines, "any person suffering from mental disorder or being a mental defective, or suffering from a contagious or infectious disease which makes his presence in Singapore dangerous to the community" is barred from immigration.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=158 SINGAPORE - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> However, there is no evidence that the government requires tests for all STIs (other than HIV and perhaps syphilis) in order to grant immigration status.
It also seems that anyone with an STI is technically not allowed from to immigrate to Singapore. According to Singaporean guidelines, "any person suffering from mental disorder or being a mental defective, or suffering from a contagious or infectious disease which makes his presence in Singapore dangerous to the community" is barred from immigration.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=158 SINGAPORE - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> However, there is no evidence that the government requires tests for all STIs (other than HIV and perhaps syphilis) in order to grant immigration status.

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