Vaccinated and want to travel? Here's what you need to know

SINGAPORE: From next Tuesday (Oct 19), fully vaccinated Singapore residents will be able to travel to more countries under the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) scheme.

This is the most significant relaxation of border restrictions for the country in about two years since the COVID-19 pandemic and it's no wonder people are starting to weigh the risks of travelling for leisure.

 

Where can you go, what tests do you need to take and can unvaccinated children travel without quarantine? 

Subscribe to week in review news letter

CNA's best current affairs and documentaries with a deeper look at issues affecting Asia.

This service is not intended for persons residing in the E.U. By clicking subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from Mediacorp and Mediacorp’s partners.

Loading

We answer some of these questions for you: 

WHAT ARE THE COUNTRIES YOU CAN TRAVEL TO UNDER VACCINATED TRAVEL LANES?

Vaccinated travel lanes were launched with Germany and Brunei on Sep 8.

From Oct 19, VTLs will be extended to Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. From Nov 15, vaccinated travel will start with South Korea.

This makes for a total of 11 countries under the VTL scheme.

International SOS’ Dr Teo pointed out that travellers should also be aware of their own medical vulnerabilities before deciding to travel, such as their age, pre-existing conditions or vaccination status.

Be aware of the risks of the areas you will be visiting and try to select places that are less crowded, have high standards of hygiene and good healthcare facilities, he added.

WHAT IF I’VE ALREADY BOOKED MY TICKETS?

Travellers who have already booked their VTL flights should check with the provider about their policies on flexibility, changes and cancellations.

“For example, check if your travel arrangements booked have 48-hour flexible cancellation policies to mitigate risks and changes to travel regulations,” said Sojern’s Ms Ang.

Travellers should also monitor the situation closely and stay up to date with the latest travel rules and regulations, she said.

In addition, travellers should equip themselves with critical information such as the closest testing facilities, and have contingency plans in the event of border closures, advised Dr Teo.

Businesses who have planned work trips for employees should brief them on the measures in place to keep them safe, and the avenues to reach out to in case of an emergency, he said.

“Finally, take all the steps necessary to keep yourself safe. The general habits of wearing face masks, practising good personal hygiene, safe distancing and avoiding large crowds are all good tips to follow whether you’re in your home country, or travelling.” 

 

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram