Singapore: Authorities expand list of countries under Vaccinated Travel Lane as of Oct. 9 /update 52

Event

Singapore has added Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, UK, and the US to the list of countries under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme as of Oct. 9. The measure, which allows travel without quarantine, will come into effect on Oct. 19. Authorities also announced the cancellation of PCR tests for such individuals on days 3 and 7 of arrival. A VTL with South Korea would come into effect on Nov. 15. Additionally, officials are barring unvaccinated residents from entering coffee shops, malls, attractions, and hawker centers from Oct. 13.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities continue to implement tightened gathering and other domestic restrictions Sept. 27-Oct. 24 due to increased local COVID-19 activity. The gathering cap is two people. Eateries can host dining-in customers in groups of up to two people if customers are fully vaccinated. Companies must allow employees to telecommute to the extent possible, though essential services can continue to operate on-site with full staffing.

Live performances, sporting events, and worship programs can continue to accommodate up to 1,000 vaccinated attendees and up to 50 participants if unvaccinated. Authorities continue to require people to practice health protocols, including wearing facemasks in public.

Travel Restrictions
The government requires all work pass holders and their dependents and student pass holders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving in Singapore from Nov. 1. Entry approvals for migrant domestic workers, S Pass, and work permit holders from the construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors entering Singapore from higher-risk countries will resume from Oct. 15; such workers must be fully vaccinated to enter Singapore.

The Johor Causeway, which links Singapore to Malaysia, is open from 07:00-19:00 daily. State carrier Singapore Airlines (SQ) and its subsidiaries, Scoot (TR) and SilkAir (MI), continue to suspend most flights but are resuming operations to several locations gradually. Foreigners flying from select cities with several airlines, including SQ, TR, and MI, can transit via Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

Most short-term visa holders remain banned from entering, with exceptions for some humanitarian reasons. Citizens, permanent residents (PRs), and foreigners who work in Singapore and their dependents can enter the country. Non-PR foreign nationals must receive official approval before travel. Work pass holders and their dependents with travel history to higher-risk locations may apply for entry approval if fully vaccinated; the exemption is not applicable for migrant domestic workers and S pass or work permit holders from the construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors.

Officials continue to classify locations into four categories in increasing order of strictness of border measures based on a traveler's 14-day travel history. Entrants must continue to submit health declarations online within 72 hours before departure and undergo an on-arrival PCR test. The categories are as follows:

• Category 1: Travelers do not need to take a pre-departure test. Entrants who test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival are exempt from quarantine. Authorities allow short-term visitors from these locations. The locations include Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, and Taiwan.

• Category 2: Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours before departure, quarantine at their residence for seven days upon arrival, and take a COVID-19 test on arrival and before ending their quarantine. The locations include Australia, Czech Republic, Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden.

• Category 3: Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours before departure. Upon arrival, travelers must quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities; vaccinated travelers may apply to serve their quarantine at their place of residence. Individuals must comply with COVID-19 testing requirements during quarantine. The locations include Austria, Bahrain, Bhutan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Fiji, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Turkey.

• Category 4: Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities, and comply with COVID-19 testing requirements during quarantine. All other locations are under this category.

The 10-day stay at dedicated facilities costs SGD 1,450.

Non-PR foreign nationals who have visited or transited Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka within the previous 21 days remain barred from entering.

Fully vaccinated individuals may travel to Singapore from Brunei and Germany without quarantine under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours before departure and one upon arrival. Individuals must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between seven and 30 days before entry, with the exception of returning citizens and residents.

Travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for all purposes. Reciprocal Green Lanes (RGL), which allow official and business travel, are in effect with Brunei, as well as Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin municipalities and Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces in China. Visitors under the program must have a local sponsor, undergo testing within 72 hours before departure and upon arrival, self-quarantine until receiving a negative test result and adhere to controlled itineraries for the first 14 days. ATP and RGL applicants must have a minimum of SGD 30,000 travel insurance.

Singaporean citizens arriving from Malaysia by land can get tested upon arrival. Officials may deny entry to returning PRs who arrive without a negative PCR test result. Officials require travelers from Indonesia to undergo testing within 48 hours before departure and undergo an on-arrival PCR test.

Advice

Consider postponing travel if affected by travel restrictions. Confirm flight status before checking out of accommodation and departing for the airport. Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Ministry of Health Singapore
TraceTogether Mobile Application
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Safe Travel Portal