what you need to know before you go

Asia TravelerAugust 24, 2022

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Editor’s Note – Coronavirus cases remain stubbornly high around the world. Health officials have warned that travel increases the chances of catching and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stop the spread. Here’s what you need to know if you’re still planning to travel, last updated August 25.

(CNN) — If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, here’s what you need to know and what to expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Base

Singapore has vaccinated more than 88% of its 5.45 million population, according to Johns Hopkins University.

what to provide

This quintessentially modern Asian city, Singapore’s gleaming skyscrapers and waterfront setting are hard to put down. Add to that the ubiquitous hawker centers offering some of the best street food in the world, and the lush rainforest of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and the city-state has enough to satisfy the enthralled traveler.

who can go

Singapore is moving ahead with its “living with the virus” strategy after trialling travel lanes for vaccinations between mutually agreed countries.

The country is open to almost all leisure visitors, with some restrictions for unvaccinated tourists. See more below.

What are the restrictions?

Vaccine travelers and children under the age of 12 from any country can enter Singapore by air or sea without a PCR test.

Unvaccinated tourists will still have to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within two days of travel, but from Aug. 29 they will no longer be required to undergo a seven-day home or hotel quarantine.

Local restrictions have also been eased considerably.

Wearing a mask outdoors is optional. The same will be true for indoor masks starting Aug. 29, with the exception of certain exceptions such as hospitals, doctors’ offices and public transportation.

However, they are not required for private transportation, namely cars and taxis.

There are no longer limits on crowd or group size. Safe distance restrictions are not enforced.

The TraceTogether app is being phased out soon.

Tourists who require a PCR test to leave Singapore and return to their home country can find a list of government-approved Covid-19 testing clinics here.

Passengers who are allowed to stop in certain areas of the airport. They are not allowed to leave these designated areas unless they have a confirmed reservation at one of Changi Airport’s two airport hotels.

What is the Covid situation?

Singapore is adopting a strategy of “living with the virus”, but urged people to be cautious and careful when new variants emerge.

The Singaporean government is urging locals to get a booster shot against the coronavirus. Under the new rules, a person’s “fully vaccinated” status will expire 270 days after the second dose of the vaccine, unless it is “reset” by a booster shot.

As of Aug. 25, Singapore has recorded about 1.8 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 1,584 deaths.

What can tourists expect?

Passengers can download the TraceTogether app in advance and register their information, but they must complete the clearance before activating the app.

After leaving the country, travelers are asked to keep the app on their phones for 21 days before deleting it. That gives the government enough time to complete contact tracing in cases of possible exposure to the virus.