Singapore Moves Forward with New Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) and Streamlined Border Measures
SINGAPORE – On Wednesday, February 16, Singapore introduced new Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) with Hong Kong and several other regions, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to re-establish quarantine-free travel. These VTLs will also see a gradual increase in quotas, as part of broader reforms to simplify border regulations.
At a press briefing, Transport Minister S. Iswaran explained that the VTLs were initially designed to test and ensure safe border reopening during the pandemic. “Despite facing challenges with the Omicron variant, we are now confident in proceeding with our strategy to safely reopen borders and regain our position as a global hub,” he stated.
New VTLs and Opening of Applications
Among the new VTL arrangements, Singapore will welcome travellers from Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Applications for the new VTLs will open at 10 a.m. on February 22, with flights beginning on February 25. As a result, the previous unilateral travel policy for Hong Kong will be phased out.
Furthermore, two-way quarantine-free travel via sea between Singapore and Indonesia will resume with the VTL (Sea), starting with services from Bintan and Batam. These arrangements will also include new VTLs with Israel and the Philippines, beginning March 4.
Restoration of VTL Quotas
VTL quotas, including those for land travel between Singapore and Malaysia, will be fully reinstated starting February 22, with additional bus tickets available for sale from February 16. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) also announced that procedures for VTL land travellers would be simplified, including a shift to supervised self-swab antigen rapid tests (ART) within 24 hours of arrival instead of upon entry.
Simplified Border Health Measures
In a bid to streamline border measures, Singapore will consolidate the travel categories to enhance ease of travel. The new “General Travel” category merges the previous Category II, III, and IV, while Category I continues to cover regions like Macao, mainland China, and Taiwan, where quarantine-free travel remains in place.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the aim is no longer to prevent the importation of infections, but to focus on the protection of travellers from COVID-19. The country’s focus will now shift to easing restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers while ensuring the healthcare system is not overwhelmed by potential infections.
Encouraging Safe Travel
Minister Iswaran addressed concerns about travel disruptions due to COVID-19 infections, urging travellers to be vigilant and prepared. He assured that Singapore’s travel protocols, including pre-departure testing and post-arrival ART, remain flexible and designed with public health safety in mind.
As part of its long-term strategy, Singapore aims to fully resume quarantine-free travel for all fully vaccinated visitors, depending on the evolving public health situation.
