Minister: December Vacations to Other Countries Aren’t Going to Happen

The Covid-19 pandemic has snatched many beloved things away from us, but one by one, we’re slowly getting them back.

When bubble tea shops all over the country were ordered to close for two months, Singaporeans went through a harrowing withdrawal period, with some forced to make their own boba to survive.

Then bubble tea stores were allowed to reopen, and Singaporeans regained inner peace.

The same thing happened when cinemas were order to shut, social gatherings banned, and dining out disallowed; we felt like our lives had been upended, but it wasn’t long before these things returned.

Travel, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. 

Due to the fear of imported cases, countries across the globe have imposed border restrictions, making leisure travel a distant dream.

And sadly, Singapore is no different.

Minister: December Vacations to Other Countries Isn’t Going to Happen

Do you have plans for a December vacation?

Well, if you do, gently fling them out the window, and have a look at staycation packages instead.

Because according to Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, our borders are not going to open in time for a December vacation.

In his ministerial statement on Tuesday (6 Oct), Ong said the government plans to revive travel in and out of the country, but added that there was a need to manage expectations.

“I need to manage expectations here. For members who are hoping that I’m about to announce some air travel resumption and even possible December holiday destinations, I am sorry I will disappoint you,” he said.

So, what will change then?

More Green Lanes

Singapore already has green lane agreements with Brunei, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea, but it plans to pursue agreements with other countries and regions as well.

Under this agreement, residents will be allowed to travel, but only for business or official purposes.

These travellers will also have to undergo Covid-19 tests pre-departure and upon arrival, and must have “controlled itineraries” to minimise the risk of community spread, according to CNA.

Travel Bubbles

Now for the good news.

Ong said that Singapore will also look to open travel bubbles with safe countries and regions, meaning permitting leisure travel for general travellers.

In contrast to the green lane agreements, general travellers will not need a “controlled itinerary”.

Leisure travellers entering Singapore, however, will have to apply for an air travel pass before their journeys.

Additionally, since Singapore’s tourism industry is dying, the government might soon make changes to the travel requirements for permitted visitors.

New Requirements to Replace 2-Week SHN

As you know, visitors from certain countries have to undergo a two-week stay home quarantine upon their arrival in Singapore, as part of measures to reduce spread in the community.

However, as Ong noted, this is a deterrent to potential travellers, as it costs around S$2,000 for those who aren’t citizens or PRs.

So, instead of a two-week stay-home notice, the new requirements could include more stringent testing protocols, isolation, and tracking of visitor’s movements.

The authorities may even allow visitors from countries with higher infection rates, as long as they agree to the rigorous testing, segregation, and contact tracing requirements.

This would not only benefit the country, but also those who need to come here for purposes like reuniting with a long-separated partner, or on compassionate grounds, reported ST.

Air travel will only fully resume once there is a widely available and effective vaccine, however, Ong said.

For now, let’s do our best to keep the virus under control, so that when other countries open their borders, we won’t be banned from visiting them.

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