Singapore lifts two-decade ban on HIV-positive visitors

PanARMENIAN.Net - Singapore said Monday, August 31, it has lifted a two-decade ban on HIV-infected people from entering the country, but will limit their stay to a maximum of three months, the Associated Press reports.

The Health Ministry said the ban was lifted on April 1, "given the current context with more than 5,000 Singapore residents living with HIV and the availability of effective treatment for the disease."

The three-month restriction is apparently aimed at preventing long-term residence by foreigners, such as those looking to work in the island-nation or looking to accompany a child studying here.

"The policy on the repatriation and permanent blacklisting of HIV-positive foreigners was recommended in the late 1980s when the disease was new, fatal and no effective treatment was available," a ministry spokesman said in an e-mail reply to The Associated Press.

Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have similar restrictions on long-term visitors with HIV.