Singapore opening up to travellers from Vietnam, Australia as it eases some COVID-19 restrictions

The city-state of Singapore announced Wednesday (30 September) that it would open its borders – subject to certain conditions – to travellers from Vietnam and Australia (excluding Victoria State) as it eases some restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows an earlier move to ease travel for people from Brunei and New Zealand. Starting 8 October, Singapore will life border restrictions for Australia (excluding Victoria State) and Vietnam. “Both countries have comprehensive public health surveillance systems and displayed successful control over the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said. “Over the last 28 days, Vietnam has zero local COVID-19 case, while Australia (excluding Victoria State) has a virus local incidence rate of 0.02 per 100,000. The risk of importation from these countries is low.” The CAAS said visitors travelling from Australia (excluding Victoria State) and Vietnam can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into Singapore on or after 8 October. Applicants must have remained in either Australia (excluding Victoria State) or Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry. They will undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport and if the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore, without a need to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN). From 2 October Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from Australia (excluding Victoria State) and Vietnam will similarly undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, in lieu of a seven-day SHN with a COVID-19 test administered before the end of the SHN. They are strongly encouraged to register and pre-pay for their post-arrival COVID-19 test prior to departing for Singapore at https://safetravel.changiairport.com. Requirements for visitors entering under the Air Travel Pass include: Travel History – They must have spent the last 14 consecutive days in Australia (excluding Victoria State) or Vietnam before departing for Singapore. All visitors must travel to Singapore on direct flights without transit. Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and Singapore Long-Term Pass (LTP) holders are not required to apply for an ATP. LTP holders refer to Work Pass holders, Student’s Pass holders, Long-Term Visit Pass holders and Dependant’s Pass holders, as well as those who have been granted In-Principle Approval for a LTP. LTP holders need to apply for an Approval Letter for Entry. Post-Arrival COVID-19 Testing – Upon arrival in Singapore, visitors must undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at the airport. To expedite the COVID-19 PCR test at the airport, before departing for Singapore, visitors are strongly encouraged to register and make payment at https://safetravel.changiairport.com. The test results will be out within 48 hours, and typically within 12 hours. After taking the COVID-19 PCR test, visitors are to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation3. They must remain isolated at the accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative. Checks will be made to ensure that this is adhered to. After being notified of their negative test results, visitors will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore. Contact Tracing – To facilitate the contact tracing process, visitors must download the TraceTogether app on their mobile devices and keep it activated during their stay here. They are advised to download the app prior to departing for Singapore, and not delete it for 14 consecutive days after leaving Singapore. Should they subsequently test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days after leaving Singapore, they will be required to upload data in the app upon request by the Singapore Ministry of Health. Medical Costs – Visitors must be responsible for their medical bills related to COVID-19 while in Singapore. This includes costs related to tests and isolation imposed on visitors for public health reasons should they be suspected of being infected with COVID-19, as well as medical treatment for COVID-19. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]