Among countries that initially took a zero-tolerance approach toward coronavirus, Singapore has been leading the way when it comes to reopening. The country launched a vaccinated travel lane (VTL) concept in the fall of 2021, whereby vaccinated travelers from select countries could visit Singapore when taking a dedicated flight, in conjunction with testing.
We’ve seen this concept modified multiple times to reflect infection rates, which seems logical enough. Now the country is (almost) fully ripping the band-aid off, and is opening on a widespread basis to vaccinated travelers.
In this post:
Singapore’s April 2022 tourism reopening
As of April 1, 2022, Singapore will be scrapping its vaccinated travel lane (VTL) concept:
- Fully vaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter the country without quarantine, with just a single pre-travel test taken within two days of flight departure; there’s no need to be boosted
- There will no longer be a need to take a dedicated VTL flight, to travel from only certain countries, or to take a test upon arrival in Singapore
The way I view it, this is a true border reopening for vaccinated travelers, and it’s now easier to enter Singapore than it is to enter the United States (as the USA requires a test within one calendar day of travel). Singapore is even considering scrapping the pre-travel test in the coming weeks.
This move from Singapore comes as we’re seeing many countries in the region suddenly open on a widespread basis, from Indonesia, to Thailand, to Vietnam. This is so fantastic to see, since the VTL concept seemed unnecessarily complicated.
We’ve definitely reached a turning point in the pandemic
I think a year ago many of us wondered if we’d ever reach the point where taking a trip to multiple far-off countries would be possible again, especially with the extent to which Southeast Asia has remained closed. I’m sure I’m not alone in being encouraged (and even thrilled) about the extent to which countries are reopening with limited restrictions.
It’s now once again very much possible to travel to Singapore, and have a stopover while enroute to another country in Southeast Asia, as many of us did pre-pandemic. How exciting!
Bottom line
Singapore will be significantly easing entry requirements as of April 1, 2022. The country is ditching the vaccinated travel lane concept, and will soon welcoming fully vaccinated visitors from around the globe. There will no longer be a need to take a dedicated flight or to get tested upon arrival.
What do you make of Singapore simplifying entry requirements?
(Tip of the hat to SINJim)
Still waiting for Japan to announce something…
Once there, try staying at the newly-opened One & Only Desaru (though technically in Malaysia, just a causeway cross away). Interesting to note that this was supposed to be Malaysia's first Aman Resort, but then scrapped at the last minute and being handed over to One & Only instead.
Australia has just announced no testing prior to arrival as of April 17. Still need to be vaccinated.
Now let’s fix the dumpster fire that is SQ’s customer service and website
Otherwise, I agree with Jan that Scandanavia sounds mighty interesting right about now. That or Scotland since the UK is pretty lax now.
The one I think we are all waiting for is Japan. With South Korea and Singapore opening up, they are sticking out pretty bad along with Taiwan. Does anyone have any guesses on Japan opening? I saw they recently opened up to some foreign workers and other groups, but not tourists. I really, really hope they open up in the next month or two.
Man I don't know, I think those guys are happy being closed off to Gaijin for now, lol.
I wouldn't expect Taiwan to reopen their borders to tourists without quarantine until 2023. They're using the zero-covid playbook a la China/Hong Kong.
Honestly I would be surprised if Japan opened their borders to tourism before Fall. Not sure the locals want foreigners there either.
It'll be a long wait for Japan to open up. Maybe Q4 of this year or possibly Q1 2023. Currently limited to qualified foreign workers and foreign students attending Japanese universities.
It's a good sign but the pre-departure checklist is still like that of an airline pilot's.
so TL;DR:
-must be 2x vaxxed
-PCR/Antigen test 2 days before departure
-install tracking app
-need $30k SGD health insurance
That's still a lot. Would like to come back but for now, Scandinavia is calling me.
That's barely different than the requirements to enter just about any country over the last 2yrs. For those who've been traveling, they wouldn't bat an eye at it.
No, I don't recall "just about any other country" requiring all those things combined to enter, and I refuse to accept normalization of these procedures. Especially when there are a handful of top-tier nations (and more coming up) that are welcoming tourists with zero of these archaic rules.
Then "what you recall" must be pretty narrow in scope, because if you wanted to go anywhere in south/southeast/east Asia, Africa, and much of the MiddleEast, then those things are exactly what you would've had to do, until recently.
Take away the insurance requirement, and it was also the requirement for much of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, as well.
About the only places you'd escape it were LatAm, and a few southern European countries.
Bingo. I did the UK, Egypt, and Qatar in 2021, and had to do exactly that (no insurance for UK).
Don't know what this person is on about, but those things were common, and really not all that difficult/tedious to string together, if it meant finally getting to travel again.
@Mystara some of the places you mentioned also included quarantine of varying lengths, and local curfews, which is not really "open" for purposes of leisure travel but I guess YMMV. I travel for pleasure, and if I can show up to places with just a passport and a plan to relax, then that's where I'd go.
I went to SG for the holidays with my family on the VTL, and it wasn't that bad. Though I'm very happy that the program is coming to an end. I'm going there three times this year... it makes planning award flights a lot easier.
Will transit passengers on VTL flights still need to test within 48 hours if they are NOT going into Singapore?
"Singapore does not require COVID-19 tests, travel visas or entry approvals for transit travellers. However, travellers who transit in Changi must have their checked-in luggage tagged-through from the origin airport to their final destination. Travellers interested in connecting through Changi Airport should consult their airline on the options available."
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/transit/overview
VTL flights are getting scrapped.
But there are still a few days until they are.
I think depends on your destination country. I'm taking SQ IAH-MAN on a VTL, but we don't have to test because UK does not require it anymore.