The Singapore government has announced that from 26 April 2022, all fully vaccinated travellers and children under the age of 12 will no longer be required to undergo a pre-departure test (PDT) within 2 days prior to departure for Singapore. This is fantastic news as the final testing hurdle for fully vaccinated travellers is being removed. For Singaporeans, it certainly takes away the hassle of having to source for a test provider overseas or making time for a tele-ART.
What is the existing requirement?
Under the existing Vaccinated Travel Framework which applies until 26 April, all fully vaccinated travellers entering Singapore from general travel category countries by air or sea were no longer subject to arrival testing. However they were still required to undergo a pre-departure PCR or antigen rapid test (ART) within 2 days prior to departure for Singapore. To meet the definition of fully vaccinated, the list of approved vaccines and dosage can be found here.
For non-fully vaccinated travellers arriving from general travel category countries, a PDT is also required, and they would have to undergo a 7-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) plus an exit PCR test at the end of the SHN. In any case, only Singapore citizens and permanent residents, or long-term pass holders (LTPH) who are medically ineligible for vaccination and LTPH or short-term visitors who have other valid entry approval (e.g. compassionate reasons). who are not fully vaccinated may enter Singapore.
Any traveller arriving from a restricted category country, regardless of vaccination status, would have to take a PCR for PDT, undergo a PCR on arrival and serve a 7-day SHN with the accompanying exit PCR. However there are currently no countries in the restricted category.
What is changing?
The change is small, but significant. The main change is the removal of PDT for fully vaccinated travellers. This represents some cost savings for travellers coming into Singapore, and more convenience. For fully vaccinated travellers, travel into Singapore will essentially be similar to pre-Covid times.
Besides the change in PDT requirements, there are also some changes to entry approval for non-Malaysian Work Permit Holders (WPH). From 1 May, all fully vaccinated non-Malaysian WPHs will not be required to obtain entry approval. Another change to note is that LTPH aged 13-17 years will have to be fully vaccinated to enter Singapore from 1 July 2022.
What isn’t changing?
Entry requirements for non-fully vaccinated travellers remain unchanged. In addition, entry for this group of travellers will continue to be restricted to Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Non-fully vaccinated LTPH or short-term visitors will still not be allowed entry unless they have valid entry approval for certain reasons.
Summary
Singapore has finally removed the pre-departure test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers, with entry to Singapore now totally test-free for this group of travellers. This makes it much more convenient and cheaper to travel or return to Singapore.
Anyone taking advantage of this relaxed entry requirement soon?