Jewel Changi Airport
Photograph: Shutterstock
Photograph: Shutterstock

All you need to know about Singapore's existing travel arrangements

Getting confused by now? Here's a lowdown

Dewi Nurjuwita
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After 18 months of borders being closed worldwide, leisure travel is now back on the cards. And about time, too! If you need a recap, the hope of leisure travel coming back first started with Singapore piloting quarantine-free travel lanes with Germany and Brunei and easing restrictions for visitors from Hong Kong and Macau. 

Since then, Singapore has expanded quarantine-free travel to even more countries. 13 in total, to be exact. Not to mention, there are also different categories that determine how long and where travellers will have to serve their SHN upon arrival in Singapore. Getting confused by now? Don't fret, let us break it down for you. Here's a running list of all the locations with which Singapore has made travel arrangements, and where you can travel to now. 

RECOMMENDED: All the travel updates in Singapore and Singapore and Australia may launch travel bubble within the next week

Air Travel Pass (ATP)

What does it mean? An Air Travel Pass enables foreigners who are short-term visitors departing certain countries and regions to seek entry into Singapore. Travellers from these countries can enter Singapore without serving the 14-day quarantine, only if their Covid-19 test is negative. Once in Singapore, these travellers will have to serve out their isolation period for one or two days while waiting for their on-arrival Covid-19 test result. 

These countries have been chosen for their comprehensive public health surveillance systems and the controlled spread of Covid-19: 

- Hong Kong
- Macao 
- Mainland China
- Taiwan

Can Singaporeans travel there for leisure? No 

Reciprocal green lane arrangements

What does it mean? With reciprocal green lane arrangements, essential travel for business or official purposes is allowed between both countries.

Here's a running list of countries Singapore has established this arrangement with: 

- China (this arrangement presently applies to travellers from Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin and Zhejiang)
- Brunei 

Can Singaporeans travel there for leisure? Only Brunei 

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Quarantine-free travel lanes

What does it mean? As part of the pilot quarantine-free travel lanes, fully vaccinated travellers departing from 13 countries (Brunei Darussalam, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Switzerland) can enter Singapore without serving a stay-home notice. 

Only vaccinated passengers are allowed to travel under this scheme. Unvaccinated children aged 12 and below in the calendar year may enter Singapore on the VTL, but they will have to comply with all other VTL conditions and be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. 

Travellers would be able to return without quarantine, only needing to take two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – pre-departure and on-arrival. That's only two in total compared to the current four.

Can Singaporeans travel there for leisure? Yes, with the exception of Australia 

Travellers won't be required to provide a purpose for visiting and have controlled itinerary or sponsor requirements. However, they must have remained in Singapore or their country of departure – Germany or Brunei – in the last 21 consecutive days before they depart.

Air Travel Bubbles (ATB)

What does it mean? A two-way Air Travel Bubble (ATB) allows travel between both places without serving a 14-day quarantine, only with a negative Covid-19 test prior to travelling. 

Last year, Singapore and Hong Kong reached an in-principle agreement to establish a two-way Air Travel Bubble (ATB) on October 15 with no restrictions on travel purpose. However, it was suspended a few days before the ATB was slated to take off. The bubble burst again and the plan was derailed when the number of coronavirus cases began to rise in Singapore in May. There was also yet another spike in Singapore's cases in June, which led to Singapore tightening its measures.

On August 19, it was finally announced that the two nations are scrapping plans for the scheme

Singapore and Australia are currently in talks to pilot an Air Travel Bubble between the two countries, applicable for certain Australian states. However, details are still up in the air. 

Can Singaporeans travel there for leisure? Yes 

Be a tourist in our own city instead

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