S’pore & Indonesia Have Begun Talks About Potential Essential Travel Between the 2 Countries

Singapore has recently talked about trying to create travel arrangements with more countries.

It will help to revive Changi Airport a little bit and the tourism industry as well.

Unfortunately, the first attempt made hasn’t gone over too well.

But, as it turns out, the next one might just do the trick.

S’pore & Indonesia Have Begun Talks About Potential Essential Travel Between the 2 Countries

On 25 Aug 2020, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, has some good news for Singapore.

Singapore and Indonesia will start discussions on green lane arrangements.

For those who are not aware, green lane travel arrangements don’t mean you can go to Bali for a holiday.

It’s for people who need to travel to another country either for business or essential reasons.

Mr Balakrishnan said that the discussions will lead to the “gradual resumption of essential travel” between both countries in a safe manner.

Other than essential travel, the pair have also discussed other areas which both countries can cooperate in, including public health, finance, economic growth and investment.

Indonesia currently has green lane arrangements with South Korea, China and the United Arab Emirates.

Echoing the call for countries to cooperate, PM Lee said in a Facebook post that even as countries are recovering from the pandemic, everyone should not try and help one another.

Other Green Lane Arrangements

Singapore currently has green lane arrangements with two countries: Malaysia and China

We are also in talks with several countries, including Japan, to set up a green lane arrangement as well.

Earlier this month, Japan Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu was in Singapore and met with Mr Balakrishnan as well as PM Lee.

Other than talking about how both countries can work together to recover from this pandemic, they have also tasked their respective subordinates to work out an essential travel plan between Japan and Singapore by September 2020.

If this plan comes to fruition within the stated timeframe, it’ll mean that Singapore will be the first country to resume connectivity with Japan.

You can read more about the proposed arrangement here.

Read Also: 14 Passengers From Singapore Tests Positive For Covid-19 Upon Arrival In China

Don’t worry, MOH has responded and 12 of them could be “false alarms”.