With close to 85% of Singapore’s population fully vaccinated, the country will extend the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) to nine more countries in order to reclaim its status as an international hub with global connectivity.
With the experience and confidence gained from the VTL for Brunei Darussalam and Germany, Singapore will extend the VTL to nine more countries: Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) for entry into Singapore on or after 19 October 2021 and the Republic of Korea (ROK) for entry into Singapore on or after 15 November 2021.
To better explain:
Under the VTL, fully vaccinated travellers from these countries may enter Singapore without quarantine and just need to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing.
The number of COVID-19 PCR tests will be reduced from four to two for VTL travellers entering Singapore on or after 19 October 2021. They will need to undergo a pre-departure test within 48 hours before departing to Singapore and obtain a negative test result. They will also need to take an on-arrival test at Changi Airport and remain self-isolated until their test result is confirmed to be negative. They will no longer need to undergo a Day 3 and a Day 7 PCR tests.
The MOH’s public health assessment is that the pre-departure test and on-arrival test provide sufficient safeguards for detecting and isolating imported COVID-19 cases. The removal of the Day 3 and Day 7 PCR tests will help reduce cost and improve convenience for VTL travellers.
All travellers entering Singapore under the VTL will have to comply with the following VTL requirements:
Travel History
Effective 19 October 2021, VTL travellers must have remained in one or more of the VTL countries[1] in the last 14 consecutive days prior to departure to Singapore. The list of VTL countries includes the ROK on and after 15 November 2021. If the traveller has been in Singapore within those last 14 days, his/her stay in Singapore can be counted towards fulfilling this 14-day travel history requirement.
Testing
All VTL travellers must take two COVID-19 PCR tests:
- A pre-departure test within 48 hours before departing to Singapore and obtain a negative test result; and
- An on-arrival test at Changi Airport and remain self-isolated until their test result is confirmed to be negative.
Vaccination
All VTL travellers must have been fully vaccinated and present their proof of vaccination. VTL travellers entering Singapore on or after 19 October 2021 can present vaccination certificates issued in any VTL country or Singapore, regardless of which VTL country the traveller departs from. VTL travellers entering Singapore on or after 15 November 2021 can also present vaccination certificates issued in the ROK.
Designated VTL Flights
Travellers who are travelling to Singapore under the VTL must travel into Singapore on designated VTL flights. They may transit via another VTL country to take a designated VTL flight into Singapore.
Travellers who are transferring or transiting through Singapore will also be allowed to travel on the designated VTL flights. These travellers must present vaccination certificates issued in any VTL country or Singapore and must have remained in one or more of the VTL countries and/or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days prior to travelling on a designated VTL flight.
Such travellers will also be required to take a pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours before departing to Singapore.
Additional Requirements for Short-Term Visitors and Long-Term Pass Holders
Short-term visitors and long-term pass holders will need to apply for a VTP to enter Singapore under the VTL. Fully vaccinated Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents do not need to apply for a VTP to enter Singapore under the VTL. There will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel under the VTL arrangement and no requirement for a controlled itinerary or sponsor.
To safeguard public health in Singapore, all travellers entering Singapore must comply with the prevailing health and safe distancing measures in Singapore. As the global COVID-19 situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures with the appropriate safeguards to ensure public health and safety. This will enable us to transition safely and confidently towards a COVID-19 resilient nation.
…as Singapore’s authorities noted.