Singapore has further streamlined its entry testing process so that travelers from Risk 1 countries and regions, and those entering Singapore through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), will only be required to complete their own rapid antigen tests within 24 hours of entry, instead of having to complete the tests under the supervision of a person.
This new arrangement will take effect from 11.59 pm on March 14.
In its announcement on March 11, the Ministry of Health said that Singapore had simplified its border measures and risk classification of countries and regions on March 22 to prepare vaccinated persons for travel.
Imported cases have remained very low over the past few weeks, accounting for only about 1 per cent of daily cases.
This is because many countries have passed the peak of transmission of Omicron.
The Ministry of Health noted that in view of the above developments, Singapore will further adjust its travel procedures by changing the current requirement for the Rapid Arrival Antigen Test (ART) to be completed under supervision to an unsupervised, self-administered ART.
Tier 1 risk countries and territories include Mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan.
Currently, Singapore has opened VTL to 30 countries and territories, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Philippines, Qatar, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE The United Kingdom and the United States.
VTL with Vietnam and Greece is also scheduled to start on 16 March.
VTL flights
Travelers who wish to travel to Singapore from these destinations through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) programme are required to ensure that they travel on designated VTL flights.
Under the VTL programme, fully vaccinated travelers can enter Singapore without quarantine if they have been tested negative for the New Coronavirus prior to departure and on arrival in Singapore, and meet all current eligibility requirements.
With the exception of Malaysia, travelers can travel on any flight from Singapore to VTL destinations, but must ensure that they meet the entry requirements of these countries.
Except for passengers from Malaysia, passengers from other VTL countries who are fully vaccinated with the new crown vaccine, have an English vaccination certificate and meet all the entry requirements of their destination country/region may travel on VTL flights via Singapore.
Passengers travelling on non-VTL flights will be subject to the current segregation restrictions in Singapore.
All travellers are reminded to ensure that they book the correct flight.
Testing Requirements for VTL Flights
For travellers wishing to travel to Singapore through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) programme, they must travel on a designated VTL flight and meet all other eligibility requirements in order to enter Singapore without quarantine.
Passengers travelling on non-VTL flights will be subject to Singapore’s current quarantine restrictions.
Passengers entering Singapore will be subject to the following new crown tests:
- A professionally administered rapid antigen test (ART) or PCR nucleic acid test for New Coronavirus within 2 days prior to departure of the flight to Singapore.
- Professionally managed Rapid Antigen Test (ART) at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC) within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. A link to the webpage to book a New Crown test will be provided upon the traveller’s arrival in Singapore.
VTL travelers who have recovered from New Coronavirus (i.e. within 7/14 days to 90 days after their last infection before traveling to Singapore) will be exempted from all New Coronavirus testing requirements if they can produce documentation of their recovery.
Infants aged 2 years and below (counting from calendar year) will be exempted from all New Coronavirus testing.