Singapore: Authorities to further ease COVID-19 entry requirements from Nov. 18 /update 56

Event

Singapore is easing entry requirements for multiple countries. Officials will move Chile, Ethiopia, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka from Category 3 to Category 2, as well as Morocco from Category 4 to Category 3 from 23:59 Nov. 18. Travelers arriving or transiting from Category 2 or 3 countries do not need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test but must present a professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) result in English taken within two days before departure.

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. The categories and corresponding locations as of Nov. 16 are as follows:

• Category 1: Travelers do not need to take a pre-departure test but must apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) and undergo a PCR test upon arrival. 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 an ART or PCR test within 48 hours before departure, quarantine at their residence or self-sourced accommodation for seven days upon arrival, and take a COVID-19 PCR test before ending their quarantine. Travelers under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) only need to self-isolate at their accommodation until negative results of the on-arrival test arrive. Locations include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK, US, Vatican City, and Vietnam.

• Category 3: Travelers must take an ART or PCR test within 48 hours before departure, quarantine for 10 days at their residence or self-sourced accommodation, and take a COVID-19 PCR test before ending their quarantine; vaccinated travelers may apply to serve their quarantine at their place of residence. The locations include Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Estonia, Ethiopia, India, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Ukraine.

• Category 4: Travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities, and take a COVID-19 PCR test before ending their quarantine. The 10-day stay at dedicated facilities costs SGD 1,450. All other locations are under this category.

Singapore will also launch joint quarantine-free Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements with India and Indonesia for fully vaccinated individuals from Nov. 29, in addition to Finland, Malaysia, and Sweden. Officials plan to extend the VTL to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE from Dec. 6. Existing VTLs include those with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Travelers must take an ART or PCR test within 48 hours before departure and a PCR test upon arrival. Individuals must stay in one or more of the VTL countries for at least 14 days before departing for Singapore. Passengers must also apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between seven and 30 days before entry, except for returning citizens and residents. Short-term visitors must have a minimum of SGD 30,000 travel insurance covering COVID-19 medical expenses. Travelers may check the airlines operating designated VTL flights to Singapore by clicking here.

Travel Restrictions
Most short-term visa holders remain banned from entering, with exceptions for some humanitarian reasons and passengers traveling under the VTL scheme. Varying entry permissions are in place depending on vaccination status, country of origin, and purpose of visit. 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. All work pass holders and their dependents, as well as student pass holders, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving in Singapore. Individuals may use the self help tool on the SafeTravel website to check their eligibility to travel to Singapore by clicking here.

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) 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).

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.

Domestic Restrictions
Officials are maintaining relaxed domestic gathering restrictions. Up to five fully vaccinated people from the same household may dine together at food establishments except for hawker centers and coffee shops; dine-in services for fully vaccinated customers from different households remain capped at groups of two. Unvaccinated individuals cannot enter large standalone stores excluding supermarkets, malls, and attractions; they are also barred from availing of dine-in services. Households may receive two unique visitors a day. 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 and without pre-event testing. Authorities continue to require people to practice health protocols, including wearing facemasks in public.

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