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Everything You Need to Know About the New Rules for VTL Travellers

2021-12-04 , 10:17 am

These days, it seems like the news are only talking about two things:

Raeesah Khan‘s bags of lies
Omicron variant

One of the two things that everyone seemed to be chattering about has not only affected our anxiety levels but increased the restrictions in our border control as well.

Recently, those restrictions changed again.

More Swabs Required

From 6 Dec, 11.59pm, onwards travellers entering Singapore via VTLs will have to take COVID-19 tests daily for at least seven days on arrival. Yes, that includes travellers entering the land VTL from Malaysia.

These swabs are in addition to the current pre-departure test, on-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and supervised antigen rapid tests (ARTs) on day three and day seven of their visit.

For days two, four, five and six they can perform a self-administered ART daily and submit their results online. The link will be sent to them via their declared contact details.

The self-administered ARTs are required to be performed before these travellers go out for activities.

These additional requirements will be in place until 2 Jan, 11.59pm. It may be extended depending on the situation.

Visitors Who Recently Traveled to Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria Cannot Enter Singapore

From 4 Dec 11.59pm, all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors which have travelled to Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria within the last 14 days cannot enter Singapore. They are also not able to transfer or transit through our little red dot as well.

This also applies to those who have obtained prior approval for entry.

These additional requirements will be in place for four weeks and they may be extended or lifted depending on the situation.

Additional Countries in Category 3

Seven more countries will also be placed in Category 3 from 6 Dec, 11.59pm: Bulgaria, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway and Poland

Currently, the countries in Category 3 are Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mauritius, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Uruguay

Travellers from these countries have to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within 48 hours before departure for Singapore. The tests have to be either an ART administered by a trained professional or a PCR taken at an internationally recognised medical facility.

Thereafter, they will take a PCR test upon arrival and serve a 10-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN). Right before the end of their (SHN), they will be required to do another PCR test.

ARTs Are An Effective Method

Aside from PCR tests, ARTs are found to be effective methods in detecting COVID-19 cases which have been infected by the Omicron variant.

Laboratories are doing further biochemical tests to double confirm these results.