Everything About the ‘Fast Lane’ Between S’pore & China Which Marks The First Step in Border Reopening

It’s no secret that Singaporeans enjoy travelling. There’s nothing like visiting a distant land, enjoying the beautiful sights, and immersing yourself in another country’s culture.

But most importantly, you could take pictures of your plane tickets and post them on Instagram.

Reader: That was my favourite part of travelling, actually.

I know it was.

Ever since the country closed its borders, Singaporeans have been wondering when they’ll get to go on holiday once again.

Well, today we have an answer: uh, not yet.

Everything About the ‘Fast Lane’ Between S’pore & China Which Marks The First Step in Border Reopening

Singapore will gradually reopen its borders from 8 June, starting with essential business or official trips between the country and six provinces in China, reported TODAYonline.

The provinces currently on the list are Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. More will be added to the list over time.

China and Singapore have agreed on a set of protocols, known as the “fast lane” arrangement, that will allow the two countries to restart limited essential travel.

These protocols include, among other things, swab tests at both countries, and submission of health declarations before entering both countries.

As you may remember, back in February, visitors from China were the first to be banned from entering Singapore, when the coronavirus first started spreading.

Singapore’s list of banned countries eventually grew to include the whole globe.

Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) hinted that China is just one of a few countries that Singaporeans will soon be able to travel to on official or essential trips, countries that have agreed to the same set of protocols.

“In conjunction with Singapore’s move towards Phase One of the post-circuit breaker period, Singapore has explored the piloting of fast lane arrangements with a few other countries and regions,”, the authorities said.

“This is part of Singapore’s gradual reopening of our borders for Singaporeans and residents to conduct essential activities overseas and to allow safe travel for foreigners entering Singapore in limited numbers, with the necessary safeguards in place to ensure public health considerations are addressed.”

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Protocols For Travelling Singaporeans

According to TODAYonline, there are several steps that Singapore-based officials or business travellers have to take when they travel to China under the new arrangments:

1. Obtain a letter of sponsorship from the relevant Chinese organisation, whether it is a government agency or business entity
2. The sponsor will file an application with the local provincial or municipal authorities
3. An invitation will be issued to the traveller once the application is approved
4. Read also: Covid-19: S’pore working to resume ‘essential cross-border travel’ with South Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand
5. Apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy in Singapore, if required
6. Submit health declaration to the Chinese authorities
7. Take a Covid-19 swab test within 48 hours before one’s scheduled flight, at one’s own cost
8. Once the swab test results come back negative, the traveller can board the flight, taking the necessary precautions, such as wearing a mask at all times, even in-flight
9. Take another Covid-19 swab test and a serology test, which tests for the virus’ antibodies, once one has reached China, at one’s own cost
10. Remain in a quarantine location designated by the local provincial or municipal government for one to two days until the test result is out
11. If tested positive, the traveller will remain in China for medical treatment at his own cost
12. If the test result comes back negative, the traveller can proceed with the itinerary that was planned by his sponsor, and he must adhere to it for the first 14 days
13. The traveller must use China’s local health QR code for the duration of his stay

To say the two countries are being cautious would be an understatement.

The traveller is allowed to go outside the six provinces, but only after 14 days.

If a traveller needs to go outside the six provinces within the first 14 days, he needs to obtain advanced approval from the provincial government of his next destination.

Protocols For Arriving Chinese Travellers

Travellers from China who are entering Singapore on official or business trips also have to take precautionary measures, of course. They have to:

1. Obtain a letter of sponsorship from the relevant Singapore organisation, whether it is a government agency or business entity
2. Apply for a SafeTravel pass with the authorities here, which will approve or reject the application
3. Once approved, the traveller can apply for a travel visa to Singapore if required
4. Electronically submit pre-trip health and travel history declarations via the SG Arrival Card, before entering Singapore
5. Take a Covid-19 swab test within 48 hours before one’s scheduled flight
6. Once the swab test results come back negative, the traveller can board the flight, taking the necessary precautions, such as wearing a mask at all times, even in-flight
7. Take another Covid-19 swab test once one has reached Singapore at his own cost, which will be administered at Changi Airport, or other landing points if one comes in via a private or chartered flight
8. The traveller will then be taken to the accommodation arranged by the sponsor and remain in self-isolation while waiting for the test result, which is expected to come in one or two days
9. If tested positive for Covid-19, the traveller will undergo medical treatment in Singapore at his own cost
10. If the result of that test comes back negative, the traveller can then proceed with the itinerary that was planned by his sponsor and he must adhere to it for the first 14 days
11. The traveller also has to download Singapore’s contact tracing mobile application Trace Together

So, we can’t travel for leisure just yet, but hey, this is certainly a promising start, right?

Reader: *packing luggage bag* Did you say something?

You didn’t read the article after seeing the headline, did you?

Reader: I was too busy thinking of Thai food.