Covid-19's prevented us from travelling between countries, even for some of us who just wish to head home and/or to our loved ones ? Fortunately for those who wish to enter Singapore, Singapore has Safe Travel Lanes for anyone who needs to enter! HHWT has compiled a list of things you made need to know about the Safe Travel Lane, and what it may mean for you or for your loved one.
P.S. Singaporean and/or Muslim? Check out what MUIS has to say about the Covid-19 vaccinations.
Singapore's Safe Travel Lanes
1. What is Singapore's Safe Travel Lane?
Singapore's Safe Travel Lanes were set up and made available to facilitate controlled entry to Singapore.
Entry is based on the traveller’s profile and purpose of travel. Your entry is also dependent on your travel history to various countries/regions. As of right now, those who have travelled to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the past 21 days are unable to enter the country until further notice.
2. Who Is Eligible For Singapore's Safe Travel Lane?
Only certain parties are allowed to enter Singapore via the Safe Travel Lane, such as returning Singapore citizens and permanent residents, short-term business visits, short-term social visits/tourists or even death and critical illness emergency visits. You may also enter Singapore if you require general entry to visit immediate relatives who are Singapore Citizens/PRs, or if you are a long term pass holder.
There are various types of travel passes. Different travel passes are applicable for different types of parties. For example, if you wish to enter Singapore and you are from Brunei Darussalam, Mainland China (excluding Jiangsu province), New Zealand or Taiwan (for entries on or after 12 Aug 2021), you may enter via the Air Travel Pass. The Air Travel Pass grants you entry into the country without a controlled itinerary within Singapore.
Other Travel Passes may have other conditions, and are dependent on your travel history and country of origin amongst other things. You may find out which Travel Passes you may be applicable for here.
3. What Type of Covid-19 Tests Do I Need?
Depending on the your travel history and type of Safe Travel Lane used to visit Singapore, you may be required to take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction test (“PCR test”) before departing to Singapore. You may do so at any internationally recognised facility, and will require a copy of the test results for your trip as proof that you have been tested for Covid-19.
Once you arrive in Singapore, you will be required to take another Covid-19 test at Changi Airport. You will have to pay about $160 for a PCR Test, or $67 for an Antigen Rapid Test ("ART test''). ART Tests are required for anyone travelling from higher risk countries.
After your Stay Home Notice, you will need to take another Covid-19 Test at a specified facility in Singapore to ensure that you do not have Covid-19.
P.S. If you're in Malaysia, here's how you can register for your Covid-19 Vaccination
4. Where And How Can I Apply?
You may apply for the Safe Entry Lane on Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website. This will help you figure out the things that you will need to enter Singapore, and whether or not you'll be able to travel around Singapore without restriction!
P.S. Wondering how flying would be like post-Covid? Check out our article here.
If you know someone who needs this, remember to send this handy summary to help them!