Singapore: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Sunday (October 31) that Australia will reopen its borders to all Singaporeans who are vaccinated from November 21.
According to the Australian newspaper The Time, this means that vaccinated travelers from Singapore do not need to be quarantined upon arrival, in the state that “signs the method”.
According to the Times, the two prime ministers finalized the arrangement in Rome on Sunday, and both of them will attend the G20 summit in Rome.
This move was welcomed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who said it was “an important step towards the restoration of close ties between Singapore and Australia.” Mr. Li also thanked Mr. Morrison for his decision.
Singapore is Australia’s second open country after New Zealand.
In response to media inquiries, Mr. Lee’s press secretary said: “Together with the vaccination channel (VTL) established between Singapore and Australia, there will be two-way isolation between Singapore and selected Australian states including New South Wales and Australia. Travel to Victoria.
“Singapore students can also return to these states to continue their studies.”
Transport Minister S Iswaran said the move is of great significance. “Family and loved ones can be reunited, students can resume their studies, businessmen and tourists can travel again,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday night.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced earlier this week that starting from November 8th, Australia will join Singapore’s quarantine-free vaccine lane (VTL) program.
Before the announcement on Sunday, due to border measures, two-way travel was only applicable to fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members.
According to CAAS data, Australia is one of the top 10 markets for annual passenger arrivals at Singapore Changi Airport, accounting for about 4% of the total number of passengers in 2019.
More than 50,000 Singaporeans live in Australia, and approximately 25,000 Australians live in Singapore.
CAAS said in a statement earlier this week: “VTL will enable them to reconnect with their loved ones who have been separated from their families for more than a year.”
According to the vaccinated travel itinerary plan, travelers must stay in one or more VTL countries/regions in the past 14 days before travelling to Singapore.
They must perform two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests before departure and when they arrive at Changi Airport, and then enter Singapore via designated flights.
Children 12 years and younger who are not vaccinated can travel under this plan-except for South Korea-as long as they are accompanied by qualified travelers.
