Singapore will lift border restrictions for visitors from Australia – excluding Victoria state – and Vietnam, from October 8.
Both countries have comprehensive public health surveillance systems and have successfully controlled the spread of Covid-19, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Wednesday (September 30).
The risk of importation from these countries is low, said CAAS, noting that over the last 28 days, Vietnam had zero local Covid-19 cases, while Australia – excluding Victoria state – had a virus incidence rate of 0.02 cases per 100,000 people.
From October 1, visitors from Australia and Vietnam can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into Singapore. They will be allowed to set foot in Singapore from October 8.
Applicants must have remained in either Australia or Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry. They will be required to undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival at the airport and will be allowed to proceed with their activities in Singapore if they test negative, without a need to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
Singapore will also update the travel advisory to allow travel to Australia, excluding Victoria state, and Vietnam, CAAS said. Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements imposed by these countries and take the necessary precautionary measures.
The move follows the city-state’s lifting of border restrictions for visitors from Brunei and New Zealand last month.
CAAS said that as of September 30, 17:00, it has approved 331 applications from the two countries to enter Singapore. Of the 136 visitors who have arrived so far, none of them tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival, it added.
All visitors entering under the ATP must travel to Singapore on direct flights without transit.
Upon arrival in Singapore, visitors must undergo a Covid-19 swab test at the airport. The test results will be out within 48 hours, and typically within 12 hours. After taking the Covid-19 swab test, visitors are to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation, where they must remain in isolation accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative. After which, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.
Visitors must also use the contact tracing app TraceTogether for the duration of their stay here. While in Singapore, they will be responsible for their medical bills related to Covid-19, including costs related to tests and isolation should they be suspected of being infected with the virus.
Application for a single-entry ATP can be made at no charge between seven and 30 days prior to one’s intended date of entry into Singapore.
From October 2, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from Australia, excluding Victoria state, and Vietnam will similarly undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival, in lieu of a seven-day SHN with a Covid-19 test administered before the end of the period.
