Singapore may drop quarantines for travellers in September once vaccination rates increase

The government of Singapore may ease travel restrictions to the city-state by September and allow quarantine-free travel as the country pushes ahead with a vaccination drive against the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has for the past year had some of the harshest restrictions in place for travellers – for foreigners and residents alike – which has taken a huge toll on the economy and its flagship air carrier Singapore Airlines. Singapore hopes to have at least 80 percent of its population vaccinated by September, which would allow it to consider easing restrictions, according to Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, speaking to Parliament on Monday (26 July). Wong’s comments sent shares of Singapore Airlines and airport ground-handler SATS spiking, according to Bloomberg data. SIA shares rose as much as 2.2 percent while SATS rose as much as 2.3 percent. “While other countries may have come to terms with a certain level of COVID-19 cases and even deaths, this is not the choice we want to make in Singapore,” Wong said, explaining restrictions that were reimposed last week. “At the same time, there is no need to wait for everyone to be vaccinated before we begin to open up. That would mean holding back the entire reopening timeline until much later in the year, which is not tenable.” Singapore will also begin to reopen its borders and allow vaccinated people to travel, said the minister. It will start by setting up travel corridors with countries or regions that have “managed COVID-19 well”, and where the infection is under control. “So fully vaccinated persons will then be able to travel to these countries or regions without needing to serve the full 14-day stay-home notice in a hotel when they return,” Wong said. Depending on the risk level of the country they visit, the stay-home notice will be replaced with a “rigorous testing regime” or a seven-day isolation period at home. This will allow vaccinated people to travel more freely, he said. “Those who are not vaccinated can still travel but will be subject to the prevailing SHN (stay-home notice) requirements.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]