Media Release
Singapore Extends Vaccinated Travel Lanes to More Countries in Cautious, Step-By-Step Manner
9 October 2021
Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) extended to nine more countries after successful implementation of the VTL for Brunei Darussalam and Germany
With close to 85% of Singapore’s population fully vaccinated and the successful implementation of the VTL for Brunei Darussalam and Germany, Singapore will extend the VTL to nine more countries in a cautious and step-by-step manner and reclaim and rebuild our status as an international aviation hub with global connectivity.
VTL for Brunei Darussalam and Germany
2. The VTL was launched on 8 September 2021 for Brunei Darussalam and Germany. 179 travellers from Brunei Darussalam and 4,497 travellers from Germany have been issued Vaccinated Travel Passes (VTPs) for travel to Singapore (Annex A - Table 1) between 8 September and 12 November 2021. As at 8 October 2021, 2359 hours, 1,926 VTP holders from Brunei Darussalam and Germany have entered Singapore (Annex A - Table 2).
3. Of the close to 2,000 VTP holders who entered Singapore, there have only been two imported COVID-19 cases. Both were detected at the point of arrival through their COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests; they were isolated and had no interaction with the community. The post arrival tests on Day 3 and Day 7 detected no imported cases (Annex A - Table 2). All travellers have complied with the VTL requirements and adhered to its public health measures.
Extension of VTL to More Countries
4. With the experience and confidence gained from the VTL for Brunei Darussalam and Germany, we will extend the VTL to nine more countries: Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) for entry into Singapore on or after 19 October 2021 and the Republic of Korea (ROK) for entry into Singapore on or after 15 November 2021. Like Brunei Darussalam and Germany, these nine countries are classified under Category II of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Country/Region Classification for Border Measures.
5. Under the VTL, fully vaccinated travellers from these countries may enter Singapore without quarantine and just need to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing. The number of COVID-19 PCR tests will be reduced from four to two for VTL travellers entering Singapore on or after 19 October 2021. They will need to undergo a pre-departure test within 48 hours before departing to Singapore and obtain a negative test result. They will also need to take an on-arrival test at Changi Airport and remain self-isolated until their test result is confirmed to be negative. They will no longer need to undergo a Day 3 and a Day 7 PCR tests. The MOH’s public health assessment is that the pre-departure test and on-arrival test provide sufficient safeguards for detecting and isolating imported COVID-19 cases. The removal of the Day 3 and Day 7 PCR tests will help reduce cost and improve convenience for VTL travellers.
6. All travellers entering Singapore under the VTL will have to comply with the following VTL requirements:
(i) Travel History
Effective 19 October 2021, VTL travellers must have remained in one or more of the VTL countries[1] in the last 14 consecutive days prior to departure to Singapore. The list of VTL countries includes the ROK on and after 15 November 2021. If the traveller has been in Singapore within those last 14 days, his/her stay in Singapore can be counted towards fulfilling this 14-day travel history requirement.
(ii) Testing
All VTL travellers must take two COVID-19 PCR tests:
A pre-departure test within 48 hours before departing to Singapore and obtain a negative test result; and
An on-arrival test at Changi Airport and remain self-isolated until their test result is confirmed to be negative.
(iii) Vaccination
All VTL travellers must have been fully vaccinated[2] and present their proof of vaccination. VTL travellers entering Singapore on or after 19 October 2021 can present vaccination certificates[3] issued in any VTL country or Singapore, regardless of which VTL country the traveller departs from. VTL travellers entering Singapore on or after 15 November 2021 can also present vaccination certificates issued in the ROK.
(iv) Designated VTL Flights
Travellers who are travelling to Singapore under the VTL must travel into Singapore on designated VTL flights. They may transit via another VTL country[4] to take a designated VTL flight into Singapore.
Travellers who are transferring or transiting through Singapore[5] will also be allowed to travel on the designated VTL flights. These travellers must present vaccination certificates issued in any VTL country or Singapore and must have remained in one or more of the VTL countries and/or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days prior to travelling on a designated VTL flight. Such travellers will also be required to take a pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours before departing to Singapore.
Additional Requirements for Short-Term Visitors and Long-Term Pass Holders
7. Short-term visitors and long-term pass holders will need to apply for a VTP to enter Singapore under the VTL. Fully vaccinated Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents do not need to apply for a VTP to enter Singapore under the VTL. There will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel under the VTL arrangement and no requirement for a controlled itinerary or sponsor.
8. Application for the VTPs will open on the following dates for fully vaccinated travellers from:
VTL Country | Commencementof VTP Application | Entry into Singapore |
|---|---|---|
Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK and the USA | 12 October 2021, 1000 hours (Singapore time) | On or after 19 October 2021 |
The ROK | 8 November 2021, 1000 hours (Singapore time) | On or after 15 November 2021 |
9. For travellers from Brunei Darussalam and Germany, the adjustments to the VTL requirements will be applicable to those who enter Singapore on or after 19 October 2021. Travellers who have paid for the Day 3 and Day 7 COVID-19 PCR tests during their VTP application but enter Singapore on or after 19 October 2021 will be refunded for these test charges. For those entering Singapore before 19 October 2021, the existing VTL requirements will continue to apply, including the need for the Day 3 and Day 7 tests.
10. Short-term visitors who require a visa for travel to Singapore must separately obtain a visa. They are advised to do so after receiving their VTP approval and before departing for Singapore. They must also purchase travel insurance, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs, prior to travel to Singapore. These visitors must also use the TraceTogether app in Singapore to facilitate contact tracing.
11. More details on the VTL requirements into Singapore can be found in Annex B and at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg. More details on the requirements for travel into the ROK can be found in Annex C. Travellers are also advised to check the entry requirements imposed by these places and take the necessary precautionary measures.
Safeguarding Public Health
12. To safeguard public health in Singapore, all travellers entering Singapore must comply with the prevailing health and safe distancing measures in Singapore.
13. As the global COVID-19 situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures with the appropriate safeguards to ensure public health and safety. This will enable us to transition safely and confidently towards a COVID-19 resilient nation.
Annex A: Update on Vaccinated Travel Lane for Brunei Darussalam and Germany (opens in new tab)
Annex B: Summary of Vaccinated Travel Lane Requirements (opens in new tab)
[1] For example, a traveller departing from Germany who has been in Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, the USA and/or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days prior to departure for Singapore fulfills the travel history requirement of the VTL scheme. This list of countries can also include the ROK on and after 15 November 2021.
[2] An individual is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after he or she has received the full regimen of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna or other World Health Organisation Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More details can be found at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health/vtsg.
[3] Only vaccination certificates that can be digitally verified will be accepted. These vaccination certificates have to contain the necessary information about the travellers’ full vaccination regimen, as specified on the Safe Travel Office website. For travellers vaccinated in Canada or the USA, we currently only accept vaccination certificates issued in the SMART Health Card (SHC) format, by issuers in Canada or the USA on the Common Trust Network.
[4] For example, a traveller from the USA may transit via Germany to take a designated VTL flight from Germany to Singapore.
[5] Only travellers travelling with an airline whose transfer route via Singapore has been approved by CAAS will be allowed to transit/transfer through Singapore. Travellers are advised to confirm arrangements with the airlines they intend to fly with, before purchasing their flight tickets.