The End of Vaccinated Travel Lanes: 7 Things to Expect When Planning Your Vacation
Starting 1 April 2022, Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) will be a thing of the past!
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Photo credit: The Travel Intern
Previously, if you arrived in Singapore on a non-VTL flight, or have been travelling in non-VTL countries in the last seven days, it meant coming back to a seven-day quarantine back in Singapore. While these rules have progressively relaxed over the last couple of months, we’re finally getting the good news we’ve been waiting to hear!
From 1 April 2022, you can travel to any country and return back to Singapore quarantine-free — even if it was once a non-VTL country!
*Note: This only applies back in Singapore, some countries may require quarantine upon arrival.
While travelling is almost returning to what it used to be, there are still some things to take note of:
1) Apply for a digital vaccination certificate
Photo credit: Innoquest Diagnostics Pte Ltd
The Vaccinated Travel Lane/Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTL/VTF) arrangement is for fully vaccinated travellers so, in order to prove your vaccination status, you’ll have to obtain a digital vaccination certificate via Notarise.
As of 25 November 2021, Singapore-issued vaccination certificates have also been recognised as the equivalent of Europe’s Digital Covid Certificate. This means that travellers can be exempted from restrictions such as Covid tests and quarantine when moving across borders in Europe, plus 18 non-EU countries.
2) Check if the destination requires pre-departure Covid tests
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VTL or VTF, depending on the country you’re travelling to, you might still require a pre-departure Covid test.
This can be either the Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR) or the Antigen Rapid Test (ART). The former involves a thorough throat and nasal swab while the latter is a simple nasal swab.
You can find out where to take your PCR test from the Ministry of Health’s approved list.
3) Check the Mask rules at the destination
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While mask wearing is generally relaxed around many parts of the world, there are still many places with mandatory mask rules so remember to pack in sufficient masks. In Europe, some airports only accept KN95 or equivalent masks — you might be asked to purchase an overpriced one from the vending machines otherwise.
As a general guide, most Asian countries still require masks indoors and outdoors, while the rest only require masks indoors and on public transport.
*Note: Various cities/states in certain countries have different rules regarding mask-wearing so do check beforehand
4) Make sure your travel insurance has Covid coverage
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You never know what may happen overseas, especially during this uncertain period. So it’s best to have insurance that covers Covid-related matters such as overseas medical expenses, quarantine overseas, repatriation or trip cancellation due to Covid.
In some cases, such as South Korea, you’re required to purchase travel insurance for the entire trip, with a minimum coverage of ₩30,000,000 (~S$34,000) for Covid-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs.
Here’s a sweet deal for UOB Cardmembers, get 40% off a single-trip plan and 20% off an annual plan from pre- to post-trip!
5) Prepare important documents before heading to the airport
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Different countries have different rules so check the official websites before you head there.
Besides taking pre-departure Covid tests, you’ll also need to prepare documents to enter certain countries.
Here’s a breakdown:
| Country | Document Required |
| Australia | |
| Cambodia | |
| Canada | |
| Denmark | |
| Fiji | |
| Finland | |
| France | |
| Germany | |
| Greece | |
| India | |
| Indonesia | |
| Israel | |
| Italy | |
| Malaysia | |
| Maldives | |
| Philippines | |
| Qatar | |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| South Korea | |
| Spain | |
| Sri Lanka | |
| Sweden | |
| Switzerland | |
| Thailand | |
| The Netherlands | |
| Turkey | |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| United Kingdom | |
|
United States |
|
|
Vietnam |
*Note: Remember to check if you need to apply for a visa to the destination country too
6) Check if Covid tests are required upon arrival at the destination
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Some countries might require you to show proof of purchasing an ART/PCR test upon arrival, as well as mid-trip. So take note of the requirements for your destination country before you leave!
There could also be random tests conducted in certain countries so don’t panic and just follow the instructions of the authorities.
For countries that require a PCR test on arrival, you might be expected to head straight to your accommodation to self-isolate while waiting for the results — usually within 24 hours.
Be sure to book a nice accommodation with an attached toilet as you might not be able to step out for the day. Some sites you can check out are Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia, where you can enjoy attractive discounts with UOB Cards.
7) On-Arrival tests in Singapore will be scraped from 1 April 2022
Photo credit: The Travel Intern
Under the new Vaccinated Travel Framework, all flights back to Singapore can be taken without serving quarantine upon arrival.
*Note: From 1 Apr 2022, you can take any flight to Malaysia even if it’s not a designated VTL flight.
Tick off this checklist when coming back to Singapore
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Once you’ve booked your flight home, here’s a couple more things you’ll need to do before returning to Singapore.
1) Take an ART/PCR test within 48 hours before departure in the country and test negative for Covid.
2) Submit an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with pre-trip health and travel history declaration three days before your arrival in Singapore.
From 1 Apr 2022: There will not be any on-arrival Covid test. You can head straight home via public or private transport.
*Note: For the latest updates on requirements, check the ICA website.
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