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Everything You Need To Know About S’pore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) That Many Countries Are Interested In

2021-09-21 , 2:10 pm

As Singapore tries to transit from a pandemic into an endemic, we are slowly opening our borders to countries such as Brunei and Germany through the establishment of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).

Regardless of whether you’re a Singaporean looking to return to Singapore from the aforementioned countries, or if you’re a Singaporean looking to travel during this period of time because you’re sick of the pandemic; here’s everything you need to know about the VTL.

Who is the VTL Applicable To?

The VTL was fully in effect from 8 September 2021 onwards, and it allows fully vaccinated Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents to return to Singapore from Brunei and Germany without needing to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP).

However, if you are looking to travel to Germany for leisure, you will have to apply for a VTP.

You are considered to be fully vaccinated 14 days after having received your second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or any other vaccines listed in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

As long as you adhere to the VTL requirements, you would not need to receive approval for your entry.

If you were vaccinated in Singapore, all you would have to do is show your vaccination status on the HealthHub app to the airline at check-in before you depart for Singapore.

Those who were vaccinated overseas would have to show proof of their vaccination to the airline at check-in and to the local immigration authorities upon arrival in Singapore.

It is also important to note that you must have stayed in your country of departure and/or Singapore in the last 21 consecutive days before your departure.

Quarantine Replaced with COVID-19 Tests and Self-Isolation

Instead of having to serve a stay-home notice after travelling back to Singapore from Brunei and Germany, Singapore residents would have to take four COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests:

Pre-departure test taken in Brunei/Germany within 48-hours before your flight to Singapore
Upon arrival at Changi International Airport. You must also self-isolate in your declared accommodation until you receive a negative test result.
Post-arrival; on Day 3 post-arrival at designated clinics in Singapore. Self-isolation is not required.
- If you depart Singapore before 3pm on Day 3, you do not need to take the post-arrival COVID-19 PCR test.
Post-arrival; on Day 7 post-arrival at designated clinics in Singapore. Self-isolation is not required.

Process of Travelling Back to Singapore from Brunei under VTL Scheme

If you’re a Singapore resident currently residing in Brunei and you’re looking to return to Singapore, here are the steps that you would have to take:

Step 1: Preparation for Trip Back to Singapore from Brunei
- Go to the Travel Portal and obtain approval for exit from the Prime Ministers’ Office (PMO)
- Ensure that you have remained in Brunei and/or Singapore for the last 21 consecutive days before departing for Singapore
- Be fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or other vaccines under WHO EUL
- Take COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of departure
- Register and pre-pay for on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test
- Submit SG Arrival Card
Step 2: Check-in
- Present the following documents at check-in:
  - Passport
  - Exit approval from Brunei’s PMO
  - Vaccination certificate (either print or digital)
  - Negative COVID-19 PCR test report
  - Trace Together app (downloaded and registered)
Step 3: Upon Arrival in Singapore
- Take on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test at Changi Airport
- Head to declared self-isolation accommodation using private transport/taxi/private-hire car
  - Please note that public buses and trains are not allowed
Step 4: Post-Arrival in Singapore
- Remain in self-isolation until you receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test result
- Search for clinics that provide COVID-19 PCR tests. Make an appointment at a clinic, pay for, and take the test on Day 3 and Day 7 post-arrival

Process of Travelling to and From Germany under VTL Scheme

If you’re looking to travel to Germany for leisure, here are the steps that you would have to take:

Step 1: Preparation for Trip to Germany
- Check the requirements to enter Germany and ensure that you meet them
- Book your flight
  - Please do note that your flight back to Singapore has to be a non-stop designated VTL flight. You may check with Singapore Airlines’ website or Lufthansa’s website
Step 2: Travel to Germany
- Familiarise yourself with the local government’s public health measures and adhere to them
Step 3: Preparation for Trip Back to Singapore
- Ensure that you have remained in Germany and/or Singapore for the last 21 consecutive days before departing for Singapore
- Be fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or other vaccines under WHO EUL
- Take COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of departure
- Register and pre-pay for on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test
- Submit SG Arrival Card
Step 4: Check-in
- Present the following documents at check-in:
  - Passport
  - Vaccination certificate (either print or digital)
  - Negative COVID-19 PCR test report
Step 5: Upon Arrival in Singapore
- Take on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test at Changi Airport
- Head to declared self-isolation accommodation using private transport/taxi/private-hire car
  - Please note that public buses and trains are not allowed
Step 6: Post-Arrival in Singapore
- Remain in self-isolation until you receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test result
- Search for clinics that provide COVID-19 PCR tests. Make an appointment at a clinic, pay for, and take the test on Day 3 and Day 7 post-arrival

VTL May Be Expanded to More Countries Soon

Quite a number of countries and regions have expressed their interest in joining the VTL, and Singapore is actively working to expand it to include more countries.

This comes after the success of the opening of the VTL where only one COVID-19 test was detected after 900 travellers arrived in Singapore under the scheme. The case was immediately isolated and quarantined.

Transport Minister S. Iswaran said that all VTL travellers who have entered Singapore thus far have fully complied with the mandatory testing regime.

When asked what countries the VTL may be expanded to, Mr Iswanran said that it will depend on public health considerations like the COVID-19 incidence rate, vaccination rate, and the testing regime in place in the country, as well as operation assessments like ensuring that airlines, the airport, and immigration authorities have the capabilities to handle the travellers and make sure that they adhere to the COVID-19 safety procedures.

According to industry experts, some of the candidates could include Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

First Leisure Tour Group Departs for Germany on 22 September

With the news of the establishment of the VTL, many Singapore residents have gone to look at tour agencies and the packages that they are offering.

The first leisure tour group led by EU Holidays will depart for Germany for a 12-day holiday on Wednesday, 22 September, at 12:45am.

The tour will start in Munich and cover other cities including Stuttgart and Frankfurt.

The tour group consists of six people, all aged between the mid-20s and late 60s. While the number is low, a 40-seat bus is catered so that all passengers can keep a safe distance from one another.

The director of EU Holidays also said that other precautions, such as having antigen rapid test (ART) kits available onboard the tour bus, will be in place to ensure that all tour group members are safe during their travel.

More Tour Packages To Come

EU Holidays is not the only tour group to offer such packages.

Chan Brothers Travel will also be having their first tour group of 20 participants depart on 11 October, while Dynasty Travel is looking to set up itineraries for travel in October, November and December.