A new agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India will allow scheduled commercial passenger flights to resume. As a result, Indian travelers will soon be able to visit Singapore. A Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from India to Singapore, starting from Nov. 29, will allow for quarantine-free travel, with six designated flights daily from Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.
As per a CAAS note, airlines can operate flights between India and Singapore other than VTL flights. The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH)’s Country/Region Classification for Border Measures will apply to those traveling to Singapore on non-VTL flights.
The Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) will be required by short-term visitors and long-term pass holders entering Singapore under the VTL from November 22. A Singapore citizen or permanent resident with a complete set of vaccinations as well as children 12 and under are not required to apply for a VTP when entering Singapore under the VTL.
All short-term visitors and long-term pass holders who meet the requirements of the VTL, will receive a VTP on November 22 at 1800 hours (Singapore time).
From November 29, 2021 to January 21, 2022, VTP applications will be available for intended dates of entry. “Applicants intending to enter Singapore after December 1 are strongly encouraged to submit applications after November 24,” the note states.
Vaccinated Travel Pass Norms
When submitting the application for the VTP, applicants should provide CAAS with their passport information, digital proof of vaccination information, and Singapore address for self-isolation pending the results of their on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
Visitors requiring a visa for short-term stays in Singapore must obtain their visa separately. “They are advised to do so after receiving their VTP approval and before departing for Singapore. They must also purchase travel insurance, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs, prior to travel to Singapore. In Singapore, these visitors must also use the TraceTogether app to facilitate contact tracing,” the note states.
Vaccinated Travel Pass: Vaccination Requirement
A fully vaccinated traveller from a VTL country can enter Singapore without quarantine, and only requires COVID-19 testing. If accompanied by a VTL traveller who meets all VTL requirements, children aged 12 and below who are not vaccinated will be allowed to travel in Singapore under the VTL.
In addition, the traveler must have stayed in one or more of the VTL countries or one or more countries/regions that fell into Category I of Singapore MOH’s Country/Region Classification for Border Measures within 14 consecutive days before departing for Singapore. Travellers who have been in Singapore within the last 14 days can count their stay there towards meeting the 14-day history requirement.
Vaccinated Travel Pass: Testing Requirement
Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) travellers must complete two Covid-19 tests. A pre-departure PCR or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) must be administered within two days of departure to Singapore and come up negative. Upon arrival at Changi Airport, they must undergo a PCR test and remain self-isolated until the test result is confirmed to be negative. Children under the age of two are not required to undergo these tests.
Any VTL traveler must be fully vaccinated and present digital proof of vaccination that is acknowledged by Singapore authorities from any VTL country or Singapore. If accompanied by a VTL traveller who meets all VTL requirements for entry into Singapore, children aged 12 and below in the calendar year are not required to present proof of vaccination on entering Singapore under the VTL.
VTL does not require a controlled itinerary or sponsor and does not restrict the purpose of travel. Having the resumption of commercial flights is a step in the right direction after the World Health Organization (WHO) granted emergency use of Covaxin, the Indian vaccine for Covid-19.
