Singapore to open for double-vaccinated Australians
Fully vaccinated Australians and permanent residents will be able to travel between Singapore and Australia without quarantining from early next month.
Fully vaccinated Australians and permanent residents will be able to travel between Singapore and Australia without quarantining from early next month.
The southeast Asian city state announced on Tuesday it was adding both Australia and Switzerland to its travel lanes from November 8.
Reciprocal arrangements for Singaporean student and business pass holders are expected to come into force by November 23.
Singaporean tourists, however, will need to wait for quarantine-free entry to Australia with Canberra saying it could be in place by December.
So far, quarantine-free entry to Australia for Singapore-based Australians is only available for those landing in Sydney and Melbourne, though South Australia has flagged a similar easing of restrictions before Christmas.
Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran announced the new arrangements on Tuesday, saying Australia and Switzerland had strong economic ties to Singapore, and similar Covid-19 infection rates.
Singapore already has travel lanes in place with Germany, Brunei, the US, Britain, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Canada and France.
More than 84 per cent of its population has now been double vaccinated but the government has had to once again tighten social restrictions amid a surge of more than 3000 cases a day that has put a strain on its health system.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said Australia was among the top ten markets for annual passenger arrivals at Changi Airport, accounting for about 4 per cent of total arrivals in 2019.
More than 25,000 Australians live in Singapore while more than 50,000 Singaporeans live in Australia, it said.
Those flying to Singapore from Australia must travel on designated vaccinated-only flights to avoid quarantining, undergo a PCR test on arrival and isolate at their accommodation for the handful of hours it takes for the results.
Children under 12 who have not been vaccinated may still travel with a fully vaccinated chaperone.
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