Health

S’pore Visitors Need Just 1 Non-Supervised ART If Arriving Via VTL Or Low-Risk Areas

Imported Infection Numbers Have Stayed Very Low Over Past Weeks: MOH

Singapore has always been an aviation hub and tourist hotspot, but that took a beating over the last few years due to Covid-19.

Since we’re now streamlining our measures from 15 Mar, it thus makes sense that our border restrictions will also follow suit to give these sectors a boost.

That’s why travellers to Singapore will now only need to take an unsupervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART) after arrival.

Source

This will apply to those coming in via the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) and from low-risk areas.

For travellers deemed as low-risk

In a press release on Friday (11 Mar), the Ministry of Health (MOH) revised the protocols for travellers deemed as low-risk, i.e. they’ve arrived:

  1. via VTL
  2. from low-risk areas (currently mainland China, Taiwan and Macao)

MOH noted that previously, they needed to take a supervised self-swab ART.

After next Monday (14 Mar), 11.59pm, this ART will not need to be supervised.

Source

ART within 24 hours of entry

The only requirements are that the traveller has to do the unsupervised ART within 24 hours of entering Singapore.

 

They should also self-isolate before doing the ART.

After getting the result, they must upload it to sync.gov.sg.

They may then proceed with their activities in Singapore – this assumes that they’re negative, of course.

Additionally, 2 days before arriving in Singapore, they must still do a pre-departure ART or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

Imported cases ‘very low’

MOH noted that the last time they’d simplified border measures was on 22 Feb.

This was so that more visitors could enter via VTLs.

Since then, although we’ve experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases, imported case numbers have actually been “very low”, the ministry said.

In fact, only about 1% of our total daily figures comprise imported cases.

The reason for this is, MOH added,

… because many countries have already passed the peak of their Omicron infection waves.

New vaccinated travel concept coming

MOH also teased that a “new vaccinated travel concept” was coming in the next few weeks.

As part of these measures, Singapore will do away with fully vaccinated travellers having to apply to enter.

They will also go through simplified test requirements, MOH said, without elaborating further.

Check out a summary of the simplified border measures, which will take effect on 15 Mar, here.

Hopeful return to pre-Covid travel

Singapore’s all-important aviation and tourism industries are still to recover fully from the pandemic.

Thus, the further easing of border restrictions will definitely be welcomed with open arms by these sectors, and tourists who miss coming to Singapore.

Hopefully, this will mean a return to the days of pre-Covid travel very soon.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Rafael Wagner on Flickr.

Jeremy Lee

Analog person making do with a digital world.

Recent Posts

Serangoon HDB flat sold for S$1.208M, becomes most expensive unit in the estate

Prices in Serangoon are rapidly escalating, with a 7.01% increase in the average price this…

29 Mar 2024, 3:29 pm

Scissors penetrate Thai girl’s skull after 4-year-old brother throws them to imitate TV show

The depth of penetration was 2.54cm, or an inch. 

29 Mar 2024, 2:25 pm

Mother of US toddler who died after being left alone for 10 days gets life imprisonment

The judge said she committed "the ultimate betrayal".

29 Mar 2024, 12:25 pm

Expats find S’pore too costly to live in: Many are feeling the pinch & want to leave

Despite the country being an attractive place to live in, elevated costs are causing many…

29 Mar 2024, 10:20 am

S’pore checkpoints see massive jams before Good Friday long weekend with more than 4 hours’ wait

The queue at Tuas was four hours and 40 minutes long at 11.16pm.

29 Mar 2024, 7:23 am