Singapore will extend its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme to Australia for entry into the destination from 8 November 2021.
The move is part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s (CAAS’s) step-by-step effort to revive air travel and reclaim and rebuild Singapore’s status as an international aviation hub with global connectivity.
Under the VTL, fully-vaccinated travellers from Australia will be allowed to enter Singapore without quarantine for all purposes of travel, and only just need to undergo COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
Children aged 12 years and below who are not vaccinated will be allowed to travel under the VTL into Singapore if they are accompanied by a traveller who meets all requirements set out by the Singapore government.
Taken together with Australia’s border measures, the VTL will facilitate two-way quarantine-free travel between the two countries for double-jabbed Aussie citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families from 8 November.
The CAAS also expects student and business pass holders from Singapore to be able to head Down Under once the Australian government has finalised the arrangement for their entry.
However, the CAAS noted that other travellers from Singapore would not be able to travel to Australia until a later stage.
Aussies can apply to travel to Singapore from 1pm (AEDT) on 1 November.
The move by the Singapore government doesn’t come as much of a surprise, with Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison revealing last week that a travel bubble was imminent.
Oliver Chong, executive director for Oceania at Singapore Tourism Board, said: “We’re extremely thrilled with the resumption of travel between Australia and Singapore.
“We know Aussies are avid travellers and can’t wait to travel overseas, so we hope this will encourage them to make plans to visit Singapore as soon as they can.
“Australia has been a close and longstanding trade and tourism partner for Singapore. We are confident that this Vaccinated Travel Lane will be warmly welcomed by everyone as we continue to move towards a safe and calibrated reopening of our borders.”
Featured image source: iStock/P. Kijsanayothin
