Singapore Opens Up Borders With 6 Chinese Provinces From 8 Jun
Singapore is opening up its borders gradually for business travel, starting with 6 Chinese provinces.
From 8 Jun onwards, travellers from Singapore and China will be allowed to fly between both countries for work, as part of the Singapore-China ‘fast lane’ agreement.
However, the rules are stringent, ensuring both safety and that the travel done is essential.
Singapore has arrangement with 6 Chinese provinces
The 6 provinces are Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), travellers must pay for their own pre-departure Covid-19 test, and also get a certificate as proof of testing negative.
There’ll also be a controlled itinerary for 14 days so that travellers can be tracked.
Public transportation won’t be allowed during this time.
Travellers must be sponsored by company or agency, get 2 swab tests
You can’t just travel to the other country as and when you like — Singaporeans will need a sponsorship from a company or government agency in China.
Vice versa for Chinese travellers to Singapore.
If the application is approved, the traveller can apply for a visa from the Chinese Embassy and submit a health declaration to Chinese authorities.
According to Today Online, travellers must take 2 swab tests, the first before departure and another when they arrive.
Gradual restart for Singapore’s economy
Singapore’s economy has taken a battering during the first half of the year. In the 2nd half of the year, it aims to reopen slowly, with safety protocols in place.
This may help reduce the number of imported Covid-19 cases and ensure that we can still restart our economy.
A win-win if all of this works out.
Featured image adapted from Wikimedia Commons.
