Vaccinated travelers from the US, Canada, and more will soon be able to visit Singapore without quarantining for the first time since borders closed at the start of the pandemic, the government announced this weekend.
Beginning October 19, fully vaccinated travelers from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, the UK and the US will be allowed into Singapore once again, joining travelers from Brunei and Germany in the country’s newly extended Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) program. South Korea is due to be added to the list in November.
Two negative COVID tests will be mandated for entry–one within 48 hours of departure and one upon arrival–as well as the proper documentation: SMART Health Cards for travelers departing from the US and Canada, EU Digital COVID Certificates for those traveling from Europe, and National Health Service COVID passes on the NHS mobile app for travelers from the UK.
Some advanced planning will also be required. Anyone aiming to visit under the VTL program must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass seven to 30 days prior to entry, travel on a designated VTL flight, and purchase travel insurance with coverage for COVID-19-related treatment and hospitalization costs before departure.
Though Singapore has seen a sudden increase in positive cases in recent weeks, its vaccination rate is nearly 85 percent, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted in an address to the nation on October 9–a factor that the government hopes will help as the country transitions from a strategy of “zero COVID” to “living with COVID-19.” Safety protocols have been also been tightened up, with museums and attractions operating at half-capacity and restaurants, coffee shops and hawker centers limiting dining to two people per group.
“Singapore cannot stay locked down and closed off indefinitely. It would not work, and it would be very costly,” Lee said in his address. “As part of living with COVID-19, we must also connect ourselves back to the world. In particular, we must continue to re-open our borders safely… These [VTL] pilot projects have shown it is possible for vaccinated persons to travel safely, while letting in very few COVID-19 positive cases.”
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