More than 2,400 travellers from 8 countries approved to enter Singapore under new vaccinated travel lanes

SINGAPORE: More than 2,400 people have been issued travel passes to enter Singapore from the eight countries that were recently added to the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) scheme. 

About 40 per cent of the passes were issued to travellers from the United Kingdom, according to figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Wednesday (Oct 13).

The other countries are Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States.

Applications for travel from these eight countries opened on Tuesday and a total of 2,409 vaccinated travel passes were issued by the end of the day. 

The applications are for travel to Singapore between Oct 19 and Nov 17.

As for travellers from Brunei and Germany - Singapore's first two vaccinated travel lanes - 5,228 passes were issued between Sep 1 and Oct 12, said CAAS. This is for travel to Singapore between Sep 8 and Nov 17.

Under the quarantine-free vaccinated travel lane arrangement, fully vaccinated Singapore citizens and permanent residents need not apply for a pass to enter Singapore. 

Children aged 12 and below are also not required to apply for entry approval, CAAS added. 

There are now 11 countries under Singapore's vaccinated travel lane scheme. The quarantine-free travel arrangement with South Korea will start on Nov 15.

CAAS said it is allowing up to 3,000 VTL travellers to enter Singapore daily on average, including citizens and permanent residents, short-term visitors and long-term pass holders. 

Travellers must enter on designated flights.

"The airlines are planning the flights they wish to operate based on their respective commercial considerations and will announce their plans when ready," CAAS said. 

"We will monitor the demand and may adjust the quota of VTL travellers entering Singapore if needed."

While there are no restrictions on the purpose of travel and no requirement to keep to a controlled itinerary, CAAS stressed that travellers must comply strictly with the conditions of travel.

Travellers are required to take two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests - one within 48 hours before departing for Singapore and another on arrival at Changi Airport. Children aged two and below in the calendar year do not need to undergo these tests.

Travellers must have remained in one or more of the VTL countries and/or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days prior to their departure for Singapore. 

“We are heartened by the good take-up and expect numbers to grow towards the end of the year," said CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan.

"We urge all travellers to exercise care and concern, especially those who travel with young children.”