Discontinued Due To Omicron Variant Spread, Singapore Continues Reopening Of Borders

JAKARTA - Singapore will expand quarantine-free travel to Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this month, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, continuing to reopen borders after a pause due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Singapore will also restore and increase quotas under its vaccinated travel programme, which had been reduced in December in anticipation of the Omicron variant.

Lion Country will streamline border measures for all travelers, and remove entry approval requirements for eligible residents who are long-term permit holders, the ministry said, making it easier for expats to travel.

However, some overseas workers with different permits who usually work in sectors such as construction and manufacturing, still need entry approval.

In addition, Singapore also intends to remove vaccinated travel routes for visitors from designated countries, to allow entry to all vaccinated visitors without quarantine, authorities said.

It is known that around two dozen countries are in the vaccinated travel route program with Singapore, including Australia, India, Malaysia, the UK to the United States. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is still one-sided.

Singapore reported a record 19,179 local coronavirus infections on Tuesday, but most cases have mild or no symptoms. The government said the caseload was within expectations and the overall situation in the health care system remained stable.

Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong told a briefing that Singapore could see 15,000 to 20,000 COVID-19 cases daily until the current Omicron wave drops in a few weeks.

To note, the Singapore Government announced a series of changes to local COVID-19 measures, including loosening rules for close contact of confirmed cases, removing routine testing for workers in some sectors and allowing more interaction at home and work.

In addition, Singapore will ease social and travel restrictions when the Omicron wave subsides, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said, adding new local rules on testing and isolation give more weight to personal responsibility, than legal requirements.