Singapore continues to reopen borders

Singapore continues to reopen borders

Singapore will extend its vaccinated travel lane (VTL) scheme to more countries starting from November 29, according to Transport Minister S. Iswaran.

Singapore will extend its vaccinated travel lane (VTL) scheme to more countries starting from November 29, according to Transport Minister S. Iswaran.

Speaking at the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force press conference on November 16, he said the country intends to launch VTLs with India and Indonesia from November 29, and with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from December 6.

Application for the vaccinated travel pass (VTP) will start from November 22 for passengers from India and Indonesia, and from November 29 for those from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. People travelling under the VTL programme will not have to isolate at home. Instead, they are required to take antigen rapid test (ART) within two days prior to departure and must take a PCR test on arrival.

Singapore had earlier announced VTLs with 16 other countries, of which 13 are already in effect, and three more with Malaysia, Sweden and Finland are due to start on November 29. By December 6, Singapore will have a total of 21 VTLs.

Also on November 15, Minister of Manpower Tan See Leng said Singapore is allowing more migrant workers who have been confined to their dormitories to go out each day, for up to eight hours each time.

Currently, a total of 3,000 vaccinated workers will be able to visit any location within the community per day, up from 3,000 migrant workers per week.

Unvaccinated migrant workers will not be allowed to rejoin the community. Around 98 percent of migrant workers residing in dormitories have been fully vaccinated.

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