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Singapore and malaysia to launch vaccinated travel lane (land).

Singapore and Malaysia to launch Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land) from 29 November 2021.

Singapore and Malaysia have a long-standing, broad and multi-faceted relationship. Our bilateral trade, investment and tourism ties are robust, and our people share a close affiliation with each other. COVID-19 has disrupted the people-to-people connection and separated families in the two countries for many months.

To further restore the connectivity between the two countries, Singapore and Malaysia will launch a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) across the Causeway from 29 November 2021.

The VTL (Land) will be rolled out in a safe and calibrated manner. In the first phase, travellers will travel on designated VTL buses. Travellers have to be citizens, permanent residents or long-term pass holders of the country that they are entering 1 . This is to give priority for those who have been working in either country, to visit their families.

Singapore and Malaysia aim to progressively expand the VTL (Land) to include more travellers, including general travellers, taking into account the public health situation. Subsequently we will also work towards restoring travel through Tuas Second Link. Together with the VTL between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), this will enhance the close socio-economic ties between our countries and people.

Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, said, “Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour and the two countries share deep and warm relations. The Causeway was one of the busiest land borders in the world before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our cross-border activities. The launch of the VTL (Land) is a big step towards reconnecting our people and economies, and will further enhance our bilateral relationship.”

Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Gan Kim Yong, said, “We understand that many workers from both Singapore and Malaysia have not been able to see their families for many months. The launch of the VTLs between Singapore and Malaysia will enable them to travel home to reunite with their families. We are starting the VTL (Land) in a safe and calibrated manner, so that we can progress smoothly. We seek the understanding of workers who may not be able to purchase a bus ticket to travel home immediately due to limited capacity in the initial phase of the launch. We will continue to work with Malaysia to expand the VTL (Land) arrangement to more travellers in the coming weeks.”

More details about the VTL (Land) with Malaysia is at Annex .

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE SINGAPORE 24 NOVEMBER 2021

Key Facts on Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land) Between Singapore and Malaysia

All travellers entering Singapore under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)(Land) must comply with the prevailing requirements listed below.

Eligibility of Travellers

Only the following groups of travellers will be allowed to enter Singapore under the VTL (Land) arrangement.

Traveller must be a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident, or a holder of a Singapore-issued Long-Term Pass (i.e. Work Permit, Employment Pass, Student’s Pass, or Long-Term Visit Pass).

In-Principle Approval Holders of a Singapore-issued Long-Term Pass and Foreign Short Term Visitors are not eligible to travel under the VTL (Land) arrangement currently. These travellers may wish to consider other Safe Travel Lanes for entry into Singapore.

Travel History

Travellers must have remained in Malaysia, any other VTL or Category I country/region as recognised by the Government of Singapore 2 , and/or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days before arrival in Singapore.

Travellers must test negative in a valid pre-departure COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) 3 or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), within 2 calendar days before departure for Singapore, taken at a laboratory or centre that is accredited or recognised by the Malaysia Ministry of Health 4 .

Children aged 2 years and below in the calendar year 5 are not required to undergo these tests.

Vaccination

All VTL travellers must have been fully vaccinated 6 and present a digital proof of vaccination that is recognised by the Singapore authorities 7 , issued in any VTL country 8 or Singapore. This is necessary to guard against forgery and verify that the certificate is issued by a trusted issuer and belongs to the VTL traveller.

Unvaccinated travellers who are aged 12 and below in this calendar year can travel to Singapore via the VTL (Land) if accompanied by a fully vaccinated VTL traveller.

Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders who have been vaccinated overseas (i.e. issued with foreign digital vaccination certificate outside of Singapore) are reminded to upload their vaccination certificate in the electronic health declaration card via the electronic SG Arrival Card, prior to arriving in Singapore.

Designated Bus Services

Travellers on VTL (Land) must arrive by designated VTL (Land) bus services. Travellers who arrive via other means (e.g. private transport or walking across the Causeway, etc.) will be subjected to prevailing border control measures, which include serving a 7-day Stay-Home Notice.

Designated bus services entering Singapore via the Causeway:

Transtar Travel Pte Ltd: Depart from Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Arrive at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (WTBI) in Singapore

Handal Indah Sdn. Bhd. (also known as Causeway Link): Depart from Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Arrive at Queen Street Terminal (QST) in Singapore.

Transtar Travel will operate 32 daily designated trips (i.e. 16 trips from Malaysia to Singapore and 16 trips from Singapore to Malaysia) between Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange in Singapore and Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru. Handal Indah will similarly operate 32 daily trips between Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru and Queen Street Terminal in Singapore. The maximum capacity for each VTL-Land designated bus is 45 fully seated passengers per trip.

Bus ticket will go on sale on 25 November 2021 at 0800 hours . Tickets will be released for sale 30 days ahead. Travellers are also required to purchase their bus tickets at least 3 days prior to the date of departure. The websites of the appointed bus operators are:

Transtar Travel: https://transtar.travel

Handal Indah (also known as Causeway Link): https://www.causewaylink.com.my

Submission on SG Arrival Card

All travellers are required to submit the SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration via the ICA website ( https://go.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard ) or through the SG Arrival Card mobile application that can be downloaded for free from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

This must be done 3 calendar days prior to their arrival in Singapore.

The SG Arrival Card replaces the paper disembarkation/embarkation card (also commonly referred to as the “white card”) which has been discontinued since 27 March 2020 and is no longer accepted at the checkpoints.

The SG Arrival Card is a free service. The ICA does not support or endorse service providers providing paid services for the submission of the SG Arrival Card.

Travellers should purchase their bus tickets and have the necessary documents ready, before they depart for Singapore. Document verification will be conducted prior to boarding of the designated buses. A detailed list of the documents required for the respective traveller group, is as follows:

For more information, please visit https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg .

[1] Entry into Singapore via VTL (Land) will be for Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and Singapore Long-Term Pass Holders. Entry into Malaysia via VTL (Land) will be for Malaysian Citizens, Malaysian Permanent Residents and Malaysian Long-Term Pass Holders.

[2] Please refer to https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/shn-and-swab-summary for the latest country/region classification. Please refer to https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process for the latest list of VTL countries/regions.

[3] The ART must be performed by trained professionals such as medical professionals and Government-recognised trained professionals at a laboratory or centre accredited or recognised by the Malaysia Ministry of Health.

[4] The list of centres (https://medicalprac.moh.gov.my/v2/modules/mastop_publish/?tac=Saringan%20Covid-19) and laboratories (https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/garis-panduan/garis-panduan-kkm/Annex_4a_SENARAI_MAKMAL_YANG_MENJALANKAN_UJIAN_RT-PCR_BAGI_COVID-19_21092021.pdf) are accredited or recognised by the Malaysia MOH to provide professionally-administered PCR and ART tests.

[5] To illustrate, children born in or after 2019 entering Singapore under the VTL in 2021 are not required to undergo the pre-departure COVID-19 PCR or ART tests.

[6] An individual is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after he or she has received the full regimen of any World Health Organisation Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More details can be found at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health/vtsg .

[7] These must contain the necessary information about the travellers’ full vaccination regimen, as specified on the Safe Travel Office website. For the acceptable proofs of vaccination for travel under the VTL, please refer to https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process .

[8] Please refer to https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process for the latest list of VTL countries/regions.

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[Updated 24 August 2022]

Since its launch on 1 April 2022, the Vaccinated Travel Framework has allowed all fully vaccinated travellers to enter Singapore without serving a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) or applying for entry approvals.  All countries/regions are currently classified under the General Travel or the Restricted Category and accorded border measures by individual travellers’ vaccination status. All countries/regions are classified under General Travel Category with no countries under the Restricted Category. This will be adjusted according to any developments to the local and global COVID-19 situation.

Travellers who tested positive for COVID-19 should defer their travel plans to Singapore and not board commercial flights or ferries, as they may infect fellow passengers and crew. They should only resume their travel after testing negative, at least 72 hours from the time they first tested positive. 1

1  Or on Day 7 for vaccinated persons (and children below 12 years old) if they continue to test positive. Non-fully vaccinated persons aged 12 years and above should only resume travel on Day 14 if they continue to test positive.

Updates on Border Measures for General Travel Category

[Updated]  From  28 August 2022 2359 hours,  all non-fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to undergo a 7-day SHN and take a Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID-19 test at the end of their SHN period. They are still required to take a PDT within  2 days before departure for Singapore 2  and test negative before departing for Singapore.

Removal of Pre-Departure Test (PDT) Requirements

Under the framework, fully vaccinated travellers and non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below are permitted to enter Singapore, without entry approvals or taking Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) transport. Meanwhile, those arriving via land checkpoints are not required to take pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 tests. 

From  26 April 2022 0001 hours , all fully vaccinated travellers and non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below arriving via air or sea checkpoints will no longer be required to take a PDT before departing for Singapore 1 . This means that fully vaccinated travellers and those who are well will not require any tests to enter Singapore.

Removal of entry approval requirements

[Updated]  From  28 August 2022 2359 hours, non-fully vaccinated Long-Term Pass Holders (LTPHs) and Short-Term Visitors (STVs) aged 13 and above are no longer required to apply for entry approval to enter Singapore.

LTPHs will continue to be required to meet all Vaccinated-Differentiated SMMs (VDS) requirements after their arrival in Singapore due to their longer length of stay. STVs are required to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance to cover the duration of their stay in Singapore.

In addition, from  1 May 2022 , fully vaccinated non-Malaysian Work Permit Holders no longer need to apply for entry approvals to enter Singapore. Non-Malaysian Work Permit Holders (WPHs) holding an In-Principle Approval (IPA) in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors no longer need to apply for entry approvals. Instead, they will need to book a slot at the Onboard centre to undergo onboarding upon arrival. Please refer to  MOM website  for details. 

A summary of the border measures for the General Travel Category and the Restricted Category under the Vaccination Travel Framework is found in the table below. Travellers are strongly advised to check the  SafeTravel website  for the latest border measures before entering Singapore.

1  From  1 May 2022, non-Malaysian WPHs holding an IPA will need to undergo a two-day Pre-Departure Preparatory Programme (PDPP), if PDPP is available in their source countries (currently Bangladesh, India and Myanmar), before entering Singapore. More details of the PDPP and the list of PDPP providers can be found here.  

2  The following PDTs are accepted: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, professionally administered Antigen-Rapid Test (ART) or ARTs supervised by licensed Singapore providers (including remotely supervised ARTs). Please refer to https://go.gov.sg/remote-art-overseas-sg for a list of approved remotely supervised ART PDT providers.

3  Non-fully vaccinated LTPHs aged 13 – 17 years entering Singapore should complete the full vaccination regime after arriving in Singapore.

$  Non-fully vaccinated Long-Term Pass Holders (LTPHs) and Short-Term Visitors (STVs) aged 13 and above are now allowed to enter Singapore. LTPHs will continue to be required to fulfil vaccination requirements after their arrival in Singapore due to their longer length of stay.

%  Travellers are subjected to Restricted Category border measures regardless of vaccination status if their 7-day travel history includes Restricted Category countries/ regions. 

^ There may be administrative, health, and vaccination requirements that are in addition or differ from the measures above. Check  SafeTravel website  for details.

&  Refer to  go.gov.sg/remote-art-overseas-sg  for a list of approved remotely supervised ART PDT providers, and the travellers and countries/regions that this service applies to.

@  The charges for 7-day SHN at a dedicated SHN facility currently amount to $1,015.

+  Travellers will be notified of their test appointment closer to the date of their exit PCR test.

Updates to charging policies for vaccinated travellers

With the introduction of the Vaccinated Travel Framework, the charging policies will be streamlined for SCs/PRs/LTPH travellers, if they develop onset of symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 upon their return to Singapore.

Patients who are required to pay for their medical bills may continue to tap on their regular healthcare financing arrangements to help pay for their bills.

There is no change to the charging policy for all Short-Term Pass Holders– the individual remains responsible for any COVID-19 medical bill incurred, throughout their stay in Singapore. 

A summary of updated charging policies is as follows:

For more information, refer to MOH's latest  press release .

• COVID-19 Vaccine

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News Highlights

31st Mar 2022

       We had earlier announced that Singapore will be launching the Vaccinated Travel Framework from  31 March 2022, 2359 hours  where all fully vaccinated travellers can enter Singapore under the Framework.

Eligibility under Vaccinated Travel Framework

2.      The following groups will be eligible under the Vaccinated Travel Framework:

a)  Travellers aged 12 years and below (regardless of vaccination status);

b)  Travellers who have received the full regimen of World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) vaccines at least 14 days before arrival in Singapore and have met the minimum dose interval period. This is because the WHO EUL vaccination guidelines are the most widely accepted definition for full vaccination around the world, and it is appropriate for Singapore’s entry requirements to align to this definition. It will facilitate Singaporeans travelling in and out of Singapore and foreigners visiting Singapore.  

3.     The above travellers are subject to a pre-departure test within two days before departure for Singapore if arriving via air or sea channels.  They are not subject to on-arrival tests or Stay-Home Notice.

4.      Amongst these travellers, those who were not vaccinated in Singapore and do not have their records reflected in Singapore’s National Immunisation Registry (NIR), their vaccination status in their TraceTogether app will be reflected as fully vaccinated for 30 days, for purposes of entering premises subject to  Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) 1 .     If their stay in Singapore exceeds 30 days, they will need to have their vaccination records ingested into the NIR and may be required to receive additional doses to continue to meet Singapore’s requirements for vaccination.   Details on Singapore’s vaccination requirements can be found on  https://go.gov.sg/vdsmminfo .

5.     For clarity, the rules described in Paragraph 4 do not apply to travellers aged 12 years and below, as all children aged 12 years and below are allowed to enter settings where VDS is implemented regardless of their vaccination status.

Vaccinations and Boosters for Travellers

6.     Currently, short-term travellers are not eligible to receive doses under Singapore’s National Vaccination Programme.  From mid-April, we will enable such travellers to pay to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. 

7.      We will provide more details at a later date, including on pricing and the list of participating healthcare providers.

8.      We encourage all eligible travellers who have not received their booster dose to do so when made available to them, for better protection against COVID-19.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

31 MARCH 2022

[1] Travellers entering under Vaccinated Travel Lane arrangements were previously granted 180 days temporary vaccinated status on the TraceTogether app. From 31 March 2022, 2359 hours, this will be standardised at 30 days for all fully vaccinated travellers.

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askST: 6 things to know for quarantine-free travel under the Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme

SINGAPORE - People in Singapore can now plan vacations again, with nine new countries being added to the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme.

Here are some things to note about the new normal of pandemic leisure travel. The information is correct as of Oct 12.

Q: How do travellers register and prepay for the pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test?

A: Before their trip, travellers must ensure that they meet their destination's entry requirements, including any pre-departure Covid-19 tests required.

Check with the immigration authority or embassy of the destination country on the health requirements imposed on travellers from Singapore, such as pre-departure tests (PDTs) to be taken or PDT/vaccination certificates that need to be shown.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) provides information on the pre-departure test providers at this website. For countries not on the list, check with the local authorities to find an approved test provider for the Covid-19 pre-departure test.

Contact the test providers directly to book pre-departure tests.

SIA also has a pre-departure test booking service for selected destinations - Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and United Kingdom. More cities in SIA's network will be added, including destinations of its budget airline Scoot.

While the information in SIA's travel advisories is updated regularly, entry requirements may change at short notice and travellers are advised to check the latest travel advisory issued by the local authorities before their trip.

Those heading to the UK on the VTL, for instance, will no longer need to take pre-departure tests.

Before flying to England, travellers must book and pay for a day two Covid-19 test at this website, to be taken after arrival in England

The on-arrival test must be taken on or before day two in the country.

Those going to Denmark must present a negative pre-departure test taken no more than 72 hours before entry and produce a European Union (EU) Digital Covid Certificate. Travellers must also take an on-arrival test at the airport in Denmark.

Check Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website for the latest advisories on your intended destination here.

Book a pre-departure test at an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory, clinic, or medical facility at this website.

For countries which are not listed, seek advice from the country or region's equivalent of Ministry of Health for approved Covid-19 PCR test providers.

On-arrival tests when returning to Singapore can be booked at this website.

Q: Will travel insurance cost more? What kind of coverage do I need?

A: While the premiums will depend on the coverage, prices of travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage have risen sharply.

Dynasty Travel, which recommends AIG Travel Guard Direct insurance, says costs have increased by up to 35 per cent for those below 40 years old, and up to 63 per cent for those aged 51 and above.

For instance, insurance for a 10-day Europe trip used to cost $99 for a 55-year-old before the pandemic; now it costs about $156. This is on top of the tour package price.

Take note of the minimum coverage. South Korea, for instance, requires travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30 million won (about S$34,000) for Covid-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation. For more information, check your destination's entry requirements via the websites listed on the MFA portal.

Look for a policy that offers Covid-19 coverage. At least seven large players here, including Aviva and Axa, offer this.

Policies should cover contingencies such as if your trip is cancelled, postponed or cut short. Other useful coverage includes medical expenses incurred overseas and quarantine allowances.

The latter usually ranges from $50 to $100 per day and can go towards accommodation, meals and other quarantine-related expenses. This will come in useful if you test positive for Covid-19 before your return flight and are required to self-isolate in a hotel. It may not cover the full cost of a hotel in Europe or the United States, but will help keep your pockets from bleeding dry.

However, such allowances do not apply in countries where quarantine measures are mandatory for all arriving passengers.

Q: What happens if travellers test positive on their pre-departure Covid-19 test?

A: To prevent the spread of Covid-19, airlines will deny travellers from boarding an aircraft if they are diagnosed with Covid-19 14 days or less from the date of travel.

If a Covid-19 reverse transcriptase PCR test (RT-PCR) is required to be taken before departure to Singapore, travellers must take the test regardless of whether they have recovered from Covid-19.

In Germany, for instance, should travellers test positive for Covid-19, the test provider will notify the local health department or Gesundheitsamt, which will then issue an isolation order.

Travellers will be told to enter self-isolation for five to 14 days, until cleared by a PCR test. For those who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, this will be done in a hotel and they can leave self-isolation only to take a PCR test. Travellers will need to cover the cost of self-isolation.

Regardless of how long their self-isolation lasts, travellers cannot leave Germany for at least 14 days from the date of the positive result.

Travellers who test positive for Covid-19 in the UK will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost.

In South Korea, travellers who test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of entry will have to bear relevant costs in whole or in part. Its government will cover costs related to tests and the use of isolation facilities, while travellers will bear the costs related to treatment and food, among others.

Check the MFA website for the latest advisories on your intended destination.

Q: I received the Sinopharm vaccine. Will this be recognised?

A: All countries currently under the VTL scheme recognise the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines offered here.

However, some do not recognise alternative vaccines such as Sinopharm or Sinovac. At present, only the Netherlands, Spain and Seoul allow travellers who have taken these vaccines to enter.

Check the embassy website of your destination country, which can be found via Singapore's MFA website.

Schengen Visa Info, which compiles Schengen visa-related information and news, has lists of countries in the European Union/Schengen area that accept Sinovac or Sinopharm as proof of vaccination. Those accepting Sinovac as proof of vaccination are listed here, while the countries that recognise Sinopharm can be found here.

Travellers to Singapore can go to this website to check if their vaccine qualifies them for the VTL.

Q: What is the "winter wave" and should I be worried about this?

A: As temperatures fall in the Northern Hemisphere towards the end of the year, respiratory viral infections, ranging from the common cold to Covid-19, become more active.

Most respiratory viruses are more easily transmitted indoors, likely due to the proximity between people and increased recycling of air. And when temperatures drop in winter, more people stay indoors.

Between last December and this February, the US experienced the deadliest months of the pandemic, hitting a peak of more than 3,000 deaths daily.

But vaccines have made a significant difference. The US-run Covid Scenario Modeling Hub, which projects future cases and deaths, anticipates an average of 90 deaths a day by next February.

With travellers fully vaccinated, catching the virus would be inconvenient, but is unlikely to be deadly.

Q: Who is looking to travel to Singapore under the new VTL scheme?

A: It is early days yet, but travel agents say the first wave of visitors will likely be Singaporeans and foreigners with family here. Some have not been home in a long time, while quarantine-free travel will allow others to make repeated visits.

Mr Steven Ler, president of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, anticipates interest from South Korean visitors, as it is fairly close to Singapore and there is a sizeable South Korean community here.

But Ms Alicia Seah, director of public relations and communications at Dynasty Travel, is circumspect about the quick recovery of inbound tourism.

"We are now open to about 10 per cent of overseas traffic, and the hospitality industry will probably take about two to three years to recover to pre-crisis levels," she says.

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I Visited Singapore As It Reopened to American Travelers — Here's What It Was Like

Singapore Airlines' new Vaccinated Travel Lane flights are now bringing travelers back to Asia.

When countries around the world began charting their course of reopening, I knew I wanted to report on the ground as global cities welcomed back travelers . The opportunity to visit places right as (a shred of) normalcy returns was a rare privilege — seeing storefronts unshutter, communities re-emerge from lockdown, and businesses re-acclimate to tourism. This summer, I showed up in Greece days after their quarantine mandate lifted, and moved over to France on the morning of their reopening. But as home to some of the longest, strictest lockdowns amid the pandemic, Asia felt completely out of bounds to me.

So, when the opportunity to take Singapore Airlines ' new, vaccine-mandatory flights from the U.S. to Changi International arose, I jumped at it. Singapore is the second Asian hub to reopen — on the heels of Phuket's tourism reintroduction initiative . Americans can visit Singapore through the country's Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), a program currently open to 13 countries allowing vaccinated travelers entry without a two-week quarantine. Travel through the VTL involves jumping (or, in my case, blindly tripping and somersaulting) through a number of bureaucratic hoops, but the locals-only Singapore that greets you upon arrival is worth the slight entry headache.

Here, everything you need to know about returning to Singapore, so you can resume your Southeast Asia travel plans immediately.

How to Get to Singapore Right Now

Right now, Singapore Airlines is the only carrier flying direct VTL flights from the U.S. to Changi International. The first step toward boarding this flight is applying for your Vaccinated Travel Pass . The application needs to be approved seven daysbefore your arrival to Singapore, but you can apply up to 13 days in advance.

The application portal requires a specific digital vaccination record with a Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)-approved QR code. The simplest vaccination record to use is a SMART Health Card, issued by Hawaii, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Virginia, Colorado, and Washington . CAAS will also accept a scanned vaccine card, though it must be accompanied by a letter from your vaccine provider or your "local health authority." If you are unable to obtain a SMART Health Card , go directly to the Department of Public Health of the state in which you were vaccinated. They can either issue a state-specific digital vaccine record (often the states that don't issue a SMART Health Card have their own iteration of a "vaccine passport"), or they can write the signed letter to accompany your CDC vaccine card. Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority also requires that you briefly self-isolate in Singapore (while awaiting the results of an on-arrival COVID-19 test), so you'll need to provide the address where you plan to shelter. You can self-isolate in either a rental home or a hotel.

When your Vaccinated Travel Pass is approved, you'll receive a letter from the government that grants you entry to Singapore over specified dates. From there, book your seat on a Singapore Airlines VTL flight (the airline operates both VTL and non-VTL flights along the same routes from the U.S. to Singapore, so be aware when booking).

Next, you'll need to book an on-arrival test at Changi Airport and buy travel insurance. Singapore Airlines will send you the resources needed to complete both steps; I booked my travel insurance through SIA , which cost $160, and the on-arrival test through Changi's Safe Travel Concierge website. This website, run by Changi International, also directed me to the mandatory, pre-arrival health declarations and prompted me to download Singapore's mandatory contact tracing app, TraceTogether .

When I checked in for my flight at the airport, I had to show my Vaccinated Travel Pass, SMART Health Card, and a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours of my flight's departure. Pro tip: go old school and print it all out. I also printed my travel insurance and hotel booking confirmation for good measure, but neither were necessary.

Flying With Singapore Airlines and Arriving at Changi Airport

Though VTL flights are vaccine-mandatory, Singapore Airlines still takes every health and safety precaution, from mask requirements to reduced contact where possible. And, unsurprisingly, the new COVID-19 measures have been put in place without detracting from the five-star service that's landed the airline at the top of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for 26 years running. Singapore Airlines also continues to launchprogramming meant to encourage guests to find their own personal airborne retreat. I found exactly that — truthfully, I slept more on my flights to and from Singapore than I slept while on the ground — and I'm still unsure whether my in-flight bliss spurred more from the wine selection or the warm garlic bread at 36,000 feet.

While I may well have achieved nirvana on my Champagne-filled, blanket-swathed flight from LA to Singapore, my Zen was short-lived once I arrived at Changi International. VTL passengers are funneled through an overwhelming series of lines for customs, immigration, and finally, an on-arrival COVID-19 test. To expedite the airport experience, services like JetQuay arrange for representatives to meet passengers right off the plane and sherpa them through the VTL arrival protocol.

After leaving the airport, travelers must isolate at the address given on their VTL application For me, that meant six hours self-isolating in style at Marina Bay Sands hotel, complete with a soak in my 43rd-floor bathtub overlooking Singapore's iconic Gardens by the Bay. Isolation protocols are taken quite seriously in Singapore — I received a call about three hours into my quarantine from the front desk verifying that I hadn't left my room to paint the town.

What It's Like in Singapore Right Now

Once I received my test results via email — five hours and 51 minutes into my self-isolation — I left my hotel room and went straight to Marina Bay Sands' iconic 57th-floor observation deck. While, admittedly, it was a touristy move, you wouldn't know it by the scene that greeted me when I stepped off the elevator. I had the overlook entirely to myself. There really wasn't another soul in sight — save for the woman who swiped my keycard for entry and the specks of people 57 stories below.

This is a fairly typical sightseeing experience in Singapore right now. Hot spots you would find packed with tourists pre-pandemic have quieted. Scoping out Chinatown, Gardens by the Bay, and a downright impressive number of hawker centers over a four-day period, I encountered Singaporeans who had ventured into the heart of the city to enjoy the nearly empty sights, but very few foreign travelers.

Those planning to visit Singapore should know that mask wearing is required both indoors and outdoors and that you can currently only dine (whether at Marina Bay Sands' record number of Michelin-starred restaurants or at Old Airport Road Food Center's laksa and prawn noodle stalls) with one person from outside your household. Diners who can prove they live in the same household can sit in groups of up to five.

Finally, travelers need to download TraceTogether, Singapore's preferred contact tracing app, as soon as they arrive (if not before). Every business, down to the open-air coffee shop I visited daily while in Singapore, requires visitors swipe their TraceTogether app when entering and leaving. Think of it as your all-access pass to Singapore, and don't leave your hotel room without it.

I found the VTL entry process trying at times, but in the grand scheme of COVID-era travel, it really wasn't. The world reopening isn't as smooth as we want it to be sometimes. But as travelers like me struggle through the additional paperwork that now seems as common in long-haul travel as roller bags, there are still people around the world who can't get home to their families because of the bureaucratic maze obstructing their path. The additional hassles of travel right now shouldn't be a deterrent. As the world opens up, if you have the opportunity to jet to a new place or revisit a favorite destination, take it. Even though flights get canceled and immigration processes falter and masks are uncomfortable in intense humidity, there is no other time (I hope) that you will ever see the world's most sought-after destinations in this state. And that will always be worth the extra effort.

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Travel with Confidence

Everything you need to know about Vaccinated Travel Lanes

Singapore's Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme has been discontinued since 1 April 2022 and travellers may now take any flight to enter Singapore

Story By Alexandra Karplus

Published On November 12, 2021 Updated On April 25, 2022

Update: Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme has been discontinued since 1 April 2022 and travellers may now take any flight to enter Singapore. 

In addition, from 26 April 2022, fully vaccinated travellers and non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below no longer need to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test before boarding their flight to Singapore on any Singapore Airlines or Scoot flight. They can also enter Singapore quarantine free.

However, all travellers are still required to meet prevailing visa requirements.

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to prevailing quarantine and testing requirements. For more details on entry requirements around the world, visit the Safe Travel site or Singapore Airlines’ travel advisory .

The Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) is quite possibly the most exciting bit of travel news for everyone living in Singapore , along with anyone eager to visit the Little Red Dot.

So now that quarantine is no longer required for travellers between Singapore and the growing selection of VTL countries, how do you go about planning your next adventure? We’ve got you covered. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to travel on a VTL flight, start off by checking your eligibility on this Vaccinated Travel Lane (Air) Overview , regularly updated by Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

All good? Let’s continue…

Flying from Singapore to a VTL destination

While the majority of VTL countries (listed below) provide quarantine and test-free entry to vaccinated travellers from Singapore, this is not the case for all of them and the full details can be found here . There may also be entry restrictions by VTL countries based on recent travel history, so make sure to check Singapore Airlines’ Travel Advisory or the website of the local embassy of your planned destination.

A few things to keep in mind before booking:

• Apart from selected flights to Malaysia, the VTL concept only applies to flights returning to Singapore. Other flights departing from Singapore are not designated as VTL.
• Travellers must stay in 1 or a combination of the following countries for at least 7 days before departure: Singapore; any VTL-approved country; any country in the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City; any Category 1 country/region
• Singapore residents can authenticate their certificate of vaccination and obtain a QR code from  Notarise
• Travel between VTL countries while overseas is permitted
• The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has removed the pre-departure test requirements for all passengers transferring or transiting through Singapore.

List of VTL countries SIA services:

• Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns (starting 29 March 2022), Darwin (starting 29 Mar 2022), Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
• Brunei: Bandar Seri Begawan
• Cambodia : Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
• Canada: Vancouver
• China: Hong Kong
• Denmark: Copenhagen
• France : Paris
• Germany : Frankfurt, Munich
• India: Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and more
• Indonesia: Jakarta, Denpasar Bali
• Italy: Milan, Rome
• Malaysia : Kuala Lumpur, Penang
• The Maldives: Male
• The Netherlands: Amsterdam
• The Philippines : Cebu (starting 1 Apr 2022), Davao (starting 1 Apr 2022), Manila
• South Korea: Seoul
• Spain: Barcelona
• Sri Lanka : Colombo
• Switzerland: Zurich
• Thailand : Bangkok, Phuket
• Turkey : Istanbul
• United Arab Emirates : Dubai
• United Kingdom: London, Manchester
• United States: Houston, Los Angeles, New York (JFK and and Newark Liberty International Airport from 27 Mar 2022), San Francisco, Seattle
• Vietnam : Da Nang (starting 27 Mar 2022), Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City

Flying from a VTL destination to Singapore

For those flying from a VTL destination, it’s essential to be on a VTL flight in order to be eligible for quarantine-free entry to Singapore. Search for your preferred itinerary on Singapore Airlines’ Flight Schedule page and take note that non-VTL flights may still be available on the same route. VTL flights are denoted by a VTL label in the booking system, take a look here .

Travellers entering Singapore must meet the following requirements:

• A 7 day travel history that includes only 1 or a combination of the following countries: Singapore; any VTL-approved country; any country in the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City; any Category 1 country/region
• Fully vaccinated with any vaccine noted on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Use List. The final dose must be completed at least 14 days prior to arrival in Singapore.
• Travel on designated VTL flight to Singapore
• Traveller’s name.
• Either date of birth or passport number as stated in the passport.
• Date and time where the test was taken, as well as the name of the testing institution.
• Negative test result in English.
• Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents as well as Singapore Long-Term Pass Holders travelling from specific countries/regions may take a self-administered ART as a pre-departure test if it is remotely supervised by an approved ART provider in Singapore. A list of approved ART providers based in Singapore may be found here . Do check with the medical provider directly if a tele ART service is available.

*Passengers under two years old are exempt

Documents needed when entering Singapore:

• A vaccination certificate in English – issued by Singapore or the VTL country – must be provided. The certificates must be digitally certifiable. Children aged 12 and below are exempted from these requirements, but must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
• All short-term visitors and work permit holders eligible to travel on VTL must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) online between three to 60 days before visiting. Children 12 and under (as of calendar year) do not need to apply.
• Singapore citizens, Long-Term Pass holders and permanent residents are not required to apply for a VTP, however PRs do need valid re-entry permits.

Testing requirements for VTL flights

• An unsupervised self-administered ART using self-procured  authorised ART kits  within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. Travellers must report their test result via  https://www.sync.gov.sg  before proceeding with their activities in Singapore.
• VTL travellers who recently recovered from Covid-19 (i.e. within seven to 90 days of their last infection before departure to Singapore)  are exempted from all testing requirements if they provide appropriate documentary proof of their recovery. Learn more here .

Happy and safe travels!

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Trending Topics

Follow our news, recent searches, singapore to launch its first vaccinated travel lanes with germany and brunei, advertisement.

Border restrictions with Hong Kong and Macao will also be eased, with eligible visitors taking a COVID-19 test on arrival instead of serving a stay-home notice in Singapore.

Singapore Airlines planes pictured on the tarmac at Changi Airport. (File photo: Reuters/Edgar Su)

• Under the travel lanes, fully vaccinated travellers departing from Germany or Brunei can enter Singapore without serving a stay-home notice from Sep 8
• These travellers must undergo multiple COVID-19 tests while in Singapore
• Children under 12, who cannot be vaccinated yet, will not be able to travel under the scheme
• Travellers from Hong Kong or Macao can apply for an Air Travel Pass to enter Singapore from Aug 26. They will have to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival but will not need to serve a stay-home notice

Ang Hwee Min

SINGAPORE: Singapore will launch its first vaccinated travel lanes with Germany and Brunei on Sep 8, announced the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force on Thursday (Aug 19). 

Under the travel lanes, fully vaccinated travellers departing from Germany or Brunei can enter Singapore without serving a stay-home notice. 

However, they must undergo multiple COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – a pre-departure test within 48 hours of the scheduled flight, an on-arrival test at Changi Airport, and post-arrival tests on days three and seven at a designated clinic in Singapore. 

Failing to complete the required tests is a chargeable offence under the Infectious Diseases Act. Those who do not comply may be issued a stay-home notice to be quarantined in a dedicated facility, authorities said. 

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or other vaccines listed under the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use list, such as Sinovac and AstraZeneca. 

This means that children under the age of 12, who cannot be vaccinated yet, will not be able to travel under this scheme.

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The vaccinated travel lanes will be open to all travel purposes, whether for leisure, business or to visit family, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). 

Travellers do not need to follow a controlled itinerary or have a sponsor, but they must have remained in Singapore or their country of departure – Germany or Brunei – in the last 21 consecutive days before they depart for Singapore. 

They also must travel to Singapore on non-stop designated flights, which will only serve travellers on the vaccinated travel lanes, said CAAS in a press release.  

The designated flights from Germany will be run by Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa. The current plan is to have seven flights a week or one flight a day from Frankfurt or Munich. 

Currently, people can travel from Singapore to Germany without restrictions on vaccination status and quarantine requirements, CAAS noted. 

With the vaccinated travel lanes, if travellers return to Singapore from Germany on the designated flights, they will not need to serve a stay-home notice here, and will instead be subject to routine testing. 

Singapore Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines will run the designated flights from Brunei to Singapore, and there will be three designated flights a week. 

Under previous travel arrangements, travellers from Brunei were allowed to go about their activities in Singapore without serving a stay-home notice if their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test results were negative. 

Outside of the vaccinated travel lanes, Singapore will be tightening border control measures for those with travel history to Brunei due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases there, said the Health Ministry in a separate press release.

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Applying for a vaccinated travel pass.

Short-term visitors and long-term pass holders will need to apply for a vaccinated travel pass to travel from Germany or Brunei to Singapore. Applications for these passes open on Sep 1. 

As part of the application, travellers will have to pre-pay for their day three and day seven PCR tests, and their vaccination status will be checked for entry into Singapore. 

Short-term visitors who need a visa to enter Singapore must also obtain one. They are advised to do so after their vaccination travel pass is approved and before they depart for Singapore, said the authorities. 

They must also buy travel insurance with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs before they travel to Singapore. 

All visitors must also use the TraceTogether app in Singapore to facilitate contact tracing, said CAAS. 

Fully vaccinated Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) do not need to apply for a vaccination travel pass to enter Singapore under the scheme. 

Those who are vaccinated in Singapore can show their vaccination status on the HealthHub app when checking in at the airport before departure for Singapore. 

For those who were not vaccinated in Singapore, they can present proof of their vaccination to the airline in their country of departure, as well as to Singapore's immigration authorities after arriving at Changi Airport. 

Since Singapore citizens and PRs do not need to apply for a vaccination travel pass to enter Singapore under the scheme, the arrangement will come into effect for them on Sep 8 at 12.01am. 

HONG KONG AIR TRAVEL PASS

Short-term visitors with travel history to Hong Kong or Macao in the last 21 consecutive days can now apply for an Air Travel Pass for entry into Singapore from Aug 26. 

Similar to other arrangements with the Air Travel Pass, these visitors will undergo a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at Changi Airport, and can go about their activities in Singapore with a negative test result. 

They will no longer need to serve a seven-day stay-home notice with a COVID-19 PCR test before the end of the notice, said CAAS. 

From Aug 20 at 11.59pm, Singapore citizens, PRs and long-term pass holders who have spent the last 21 days in Hong Kong or Macau and are returning to Singapore will take a PCR test upon arrival. 

Similarly, if the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore, in lieu of a stay-home notice. 

DISCUSSIONS ON AIR TRAVEL BUBBLE DROPPED

As for the Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble, Transport Minister S Iswaran said that he and his Hong Kong counterpart have agreed not to pursue further discussions on it given the cities' differing strategies to COVID-19.

The air travel bubble has been on hold since its initial planned launch in November last year, with surges in community infections in first Hong Kong, then Singapore.

"In Singapore, a substantial proportion of our population is fully vaccinated. Hong Kong too is progressively vaccinating its population," Mr Iswaran said at a multi-ministry task force press conference.

"Both sides are focused on keeping our populations safe and minimising the risk of imported cases. But our strategies differ, with Singapore now taking steps towards becoming a COVID-resilient nation.

"Against this backdrop, my Hong Kong counterpart Secretary Edward Yau and I have discussed and concluded that we will not be able to launch or sustain the air travel bubble in its present form."

It was important for Singapore to re-establish general travel with Hong Kong so that people and businesses in both cities, which have close economic and personal ties, can reconnect, added Mr Iswaran.

He also noted that Hong Kong had announced revisions to its border policies earlier in August, including a shorter quarantine period for vaccinated travellers from Singapore.

Countries/regions classified into four categories

Singapore now classifies countries and regions into four categories, each with differentiated border measures.

Category I: Mainland China (excluding Jiangsu province), New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao

- No stay-home notice

- PCR test on arrival

Category II: China's Jiangsu province, Brunei, Australia, Canada and Germany

- Seven-day stay-home notice at place of accommodation

- PCR tests on arrival and on day seven of stay-home notice

Category III: Italy, South Korea, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Japan and Luxembourg

- Unvaccinated travellers to serve 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facilities

- Vaccinated travellers can apply to serve stay-home notice at place of accommodation

- Pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours

- PCR tests on arrival and on day 14 of stay-home notice

- Antigen-rapid self-swab tests on days three, seven and 11 of stay-home notice

Category IV: All other countries and regions

- 14-day stay-home notice at dedicated facility

- Antigen-rapid test and PCR test on arrival. Another PCR test on day 14 of stay-home notice

- Long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not allowed to enter Singapore

"WE WILL NOT THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND": ISWARAN

Mr Iswaran called the vaccinated travel lanes "a new modality" in Singapore's reopening. 

The implementation of the travel lanes is being done cautiously, starting with two countries with designated flights and safeguards in place, he said. This will allow Singapore to learn from the experience and enhance processes before any further expansion of the scheme. 

Some people may want Singapore to start more vaccinated travel lanes, while others may be more concerned about the risks of reopening borders, said Mr Iswaran. 

“To those who want to do more, I ask for your patience. At this juncture, it is more important that we get it right than that we do it fast. Experience gained from implementing these initial moves safely will enable us to later extend the schemed with confidence,” he said. 

“To Singaporeans who are concerned, I seek your understanding. We are moving in a measured manner, starting small with two countries and an essential set of safeguards. The safety and well-being of our people will always remain our utmost priority. We will not throw caution to the wind."

“Above all, we seek the support of all Singaporeans for these measures. As an open and small economy, our connectivity with the rest of the world is essential if not existential. That is why we need to start reopening."

The vaccinated travel lane is a "significant step forward" towards revitalising international travel, and a "welcome move", said Germany's Ambassador to Singapore Dr Norbert Riedel. 

"The fact that Singapore chose Germany as (its) first partner country to accumulate practical experiences in that regard is seen as an expression of the deep-rooted state of bilateral relations and an expression of mutual trust and confidence," he added. 

"We are confident that those individuals travelling under the vaccinated travel lane scheme will show the necessary self-discipline and self-responsibility by adhering to the necessary testing requirements.

"It is our joint hope that the successful operation of the vaccinated travel lane scheme with Germany will pave the way for its expansion including by broadening the scope of beneficiaries as well as countries.”

Responding to a question about whether the vaccinated travel lanes will be subject to last-minute suspensions in the event of rising COVID-19 cases – like what happened with the planned Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble – Mr Iswaran said these lanes are “materially different” in the way they are developed. 

The travel bubble was a "bilaterally negotiated" process between Singapore and Hong Kong, he said.

“In the case of vaccinated travel lanes, these are actually moves that we are making. It is completely within Singapore’s jurisdiction and control in terms of the measures and the moves.

“In the case of Germany, for example, they have already opened travel for Singaporeans to go into Germany. What we are now doing is reciprocating as it were in part by introducing this vaccinated travel lane, and the measures that we are putting in place are all from Singapore.”

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

Download  our app  or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic:  https://cna.asia/telegram

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International travelers to the US will be able to skip proof of COVID vaccine, WH says

The Biden administration will lift the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for inbound international air travelers on Friday.

"As we continue to monitor the evolving state of COVID-19 and the emergence of virus variants, we have the tools to detect and respond to the potential emergence of a variant of high consequence," President Joe Biden said in a proclamation Tuesday. "Considering the progress that we have made, and based on the latest guidance from our public health experts, I have determined that we no longer need the international air travel restrictions that I imposed in October 2021."

Biden announced the change last week , along with the end of vaccine requirements for federal employees and contractors, foreign nationals at the land border and others. The requirement for air travelers will lift at midnight Thursday as the coronavirus public health emergency ends. Biden previously  signed a bill ending the COVID national emergency  in April.

So, what does that mean for travelers? Here's what we know.

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Is there still a vaccine requirement for international travelers coming to the US?

Not as of later this week.

Currently, all "non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the United States by air" must show proof of vaccination with limited exceptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's  website .

Industry group the U.S. Travel Association, which had called on the Biden administration to  end the vaccine requirement  for inbound international visitors and argued the rule was an impediment to tourism, applauded the change when it was announced last week.

“Today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward," Geoff Freeman, the organization's President and CEO, said in a statement last week. He also called on the federal government to "ensure U.S. airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers to meet the growing demand for entry."

The U.S.  lifted a requirement  that air travelers coming from China show proof of a negative COVID test in March. The policy took effect in January amid a surge of cases in China.

The U.S.  dropped its COVID testing rule  for international flyers in June.

Do travelers need a vaccine to cross the Mexico or Canada borders to the US?

The Department of Homeland Security also said in a news release that it will no longer require non-U.S. travelers coming into the country by land or at ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated or show proof of their vaccination status.

Do US travelers need to be vaccinated against COVID to travel internationally?

That depends. Many destinations have dropped their vaccination and testing requirements for travel, though some still have rules in place. The Philippines, for example, still requires travelers to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test in order to visit, according to the  U.S. Embassy in the Philippines .

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The CDC also recommends travelers be up to date on their COVID vaccinations before leaving the country. The agency defines up to date as having one updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for people age 6 and up, which "protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5," according to its  website .

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].