Singapore launches vaccinated travel lanes with India, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia

Travelers scanning their passports at the automated counters at immigration before entering Singapore. (Photo: Marcus Mark Ramos)

SINGAPORE: Singapore will extend its vaccinated travel lane (VTL) scheme to more countries starting from Nov 29, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Nov 15).

According to CNA, the country intends to launch VTLs with India and Indonesia from Nov 29, and with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Dec 6.

Speaking at the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force press conference on Monday, Transport Minister S Iswaran said Singapore and India have been discussing the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates.

Since Nov 12, India has started recognising vaccination certificates issued by Singapore.

“This means that fully vaccinated travellers from Singapore entering India will no longer need to undergo post-arrival tests home quarantine, they will just need to self-monitor for 14 days upon arrival,” said Mr Iswaran.

MOH, added Mr Iswaran, has also updated its public health assessment and will upgrade India to Category 2 from Nov 19.

"We are in discussions on the resumption of scheduled commercial passenger services (with India). As today the only flights from Singapore allowed to carry passengers to India are government charter relief flights under the Vande Bharat mission."

He added that discussions with India are "progressing well", and there is an aim to resume two daily VTL flights each from Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai by Nov 29. "The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will provide more details once finalised.

Unilateral VTL with Indonesia

As for the upcoming VTL with Indonesia, Mr Iswaran said it will be a unilateral vaccination travel lane for now.

“Indonesia remains closed to general travel but has started to open its borders. Since Oct 14, Indonesia has unilaterally reopened its borders to allow visitors from nineteen countries,” said Mr Iswaran.

“We hope that Indonesia will likewise soon reopen its borders to travellers from Singapore.”

For a start, Mr Iswaran said, there will be two daily designated services between Singapore and Jakarta. This will progressively be increased to four.

Applications for short-term visitors and long-term pass holders will start on Nov 22 for travellers from India and Indonesia, while travellers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE will be able to apply from Nov 29.

Returning Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are fully vaccinated will not need to apply if they are travelling via the VTL.

“Travellers intending to travel from Singapore to these countries/regions are advised to check the prevailing entry requirements of the destination,” said MOH in a release on Monday.

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