All vaccinated travellers can enter S'pore as VTL flights, daily quotas scrapped

All travellers vaccinated against Covid-19 and children aged 12 and below will be able to enter Singapore with just a pre-departure Covid-19 test from April 1.

In Singapore's most significant move to reopen its borders, travellers will no longer be required to take only designated flights to enter Singapore quarantine-free, and will not have to take a Covid-19 antigen rapid test within 24 hours of arrival.

There will also be no more quotas on the number of daily arrivals and no entry approvals needed for all vaccinated travellers.

The new border policies will make the travel experience almost like that before the pandemic.

The new travel scheme, named the Vaccinated Travel Framework, will replace the existing Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday that the Covid-19 test within two days before departure for Singapore will, however, remain in place for now.

"We will continue to monitor the local and global Covid-19 situation and consider removing the pre-departure test requirement in the coming weeks," said MOH.

Non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above are generally not allowed to enter Singapore.

But exemptions will be made for long-term pass holders medically ineligible for vaccines, long-term pass holders aged 13 to 17, and long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with other valid entry approvals.

These visitors are required to take a Covid-19 test within two days before departure for Singapore, undergo a seven-day stay-home notice (SHN), and take a polymerase chain reaction test at the end of their SHN period.

Transport Minister S. Iswaran said at a press conference held by the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 that there will be several other changes with the reopening to all vaccinated travellers.

Air crew can resume normal activities in Singapore or overseas.

They will be subject to similar testing requirements as vaccinated travellers.

Airport workers need to put on only surgical masks, except for those in higher-risk roles who will be required to wear a face shield and gloves.

They will no longer need to undergo regular Covid-19 testing.

The airport will no longer be segregated into zones, thus allowing all travellers to move around freely in the transit area.

But Mr Iswaran cautioned that Singapore must be prepared to quickly re-establish public health protocols if the Covid-19 situation changes suddenly.

He added: "This shift to the Vaccinated Travel Framework is a decisive step for Singapore and an important signal to the world - that Singapore has fully reopened its borders, that we are reconnecting with the world, and reclaiming Changi's status as an international aviation hub."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised speech yesterday that the move to reopen to vaccinated travellers will give a much-needed boost to businesses, particularly those in the tourism sector, and help Singapore reclaim its position as a business and aviation hub.

The Government had earlier announced a target to restore air travel to 50 per cent of pre-pandemic levels this year.

The total number of passenger movements through Changi Airport last month was 13.7 per cent of the level in February 2019 prior to the pandemic.

Changi Airport Group chief executive Lee Seow Hiang said the airport is now preparing to welcome more travellers.

"The normalisation of airport protocols will also be welcomed by airport workers, who have been working tirelessly over the past two years to ensure a safe environment for travellers," he added.