Singapore & US Working on a Vaccinated Travel Lane That Can Happen Before the End of the Year

By
Shawn Ambrose
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Much like hope, travel has been in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With countries fearing imported infections, strict border restrictions have become commonplace in the last year or so.

Fortunately, as the world increases its vaccination rate, more and more countries can open up to each other.

We’ve already launched Vaccinated Travel Lanes with Germany and Brunei, with some Singaporeans taking a vacation there via the arrangement for the first time in a long time.

By the end of the year, a third country could be opening its doors to us wanderlust-y Singaporeans.

Singapore & US Working on a Vaccinated Travel Lane That Can Happen Before the End of the Year

Yes, you read that right. Singapore and the United States are working on creating a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), and hope to launch it by the end of the year.

This was the message Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong conveyed when he was speaking at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington yesterday (7 Oct).

Mr Gan is on a four-day official visit to the US, with the objective of reaffirming both countries’ longstanding and robust economic relations.

In his speech, Mr Gan added that Singapore is continuing to facilitate the arrival and return of American work pass holders from the US, so that US companies can operate at full strength.

Striking a Balance Between Lives & Livelihoods 

Speaking to the audience at the event, Mr Gan said the authorities in Singapore are trying to strike a balance between lives and livelihoods during the pandemic.

He noted that nearly 85% of our population is fully vaccinated, and that our death rate remains low.

This, along with booster shots and widespread testing, will allow the government to open Singapore’s borders in a “calibrated and concerted manner,” he said.

“As a hub for business and travel, it is important for us to remain connected to the rest of the world.”

And that’s where the VTLs come in.

What is the VTL?

Our VTLs with Brunei and Germany launched on 8 Sep 2021.

Under this travel arrangement, fully vaccinated Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can travel to and return from Brunei and Germany without the need for quarantine.

A traveller will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or any other vaccines listed in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

Instead of serving quarantine at your holiday destination, fully vaccinated travellers would simply have to take four COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests when they reach Germany or Brunei:

  • one within 48 hours prior to departure
  • one upon arrival at your destination
  • one post-arrival on Day 3
  • one post-arrival on Day 7

Do note that just because Singapore has a VTL with another country, it doesn’t mean we’re permitted to travel there, especially without serving quarantine.

Now, for example, we have a VTL with Brunei and Germany, but we cannot travel to Brunei unless we qualify under the reciprocal green lane.

Before flying off, though, you’ll need to remain in Singapore (or Germany if you’re coming here) for 21 days prior to departure.

At the airport, you’ll need to present a COVID-19 negative certificate, a vaccination certificate, and your passport of course, once you’ve wiped off all the dust from 2020.

If the authorities’ plans to reopen Singapore’s borders go ahead without a hitch, you may be able to take that trip to the US you’ve been planning since Jan 2020.

Though you never know what’s going to happen next with the coronavirus, so keep your fingers and toes crossed.

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]