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VTL quotas to be fully restored; quarantine-free sea travel between S'pore, Bintan and Batam to start on Feb 25

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SINGAPORE — Quotas for vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) by air will be fully restored with immediate effect and border measures will be streamlined as Singapore looks to further facilitate vaccinated travel, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Wednesday (Feb 16). 

Border measures will be streamlined and vaccinated travel lane quotas will be fully restored, the Ministry of Health announced on Feb 16, 2022.

• A new single general travel category will replace the current classification of countries and regions from Categories II, III and IV
• There will be a new restricted category for countries and regions with developing Covid-19 situations that warrant stricter border measures
• Vaccinated travel lane quotas for air travel will be fully restored with immediate effect 
• The quota for travel lane by land to Malaysia will be fully restored from Feb 22
• A new travel lane with Hong Kong and previously deferred ones with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will also be launched

SINGAPORE  — Quotas for vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) by air will be fully restored with immediate effect and border measures will be streamlined as Singapore looks to further facilitate vaccinated travel, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Wednesday (Feb 16). 

It said in a press statement that bi-directional quarantine-free sea travel between Singapore and Indonesia will also resume with the launch of the travel lane scheme by sea from Bintan and Batam.

MOH said that it decided on easing border measures given that Singapore’s incidence rate is now comparable with most overseas destinations, and imported cases are unlikely to affect the trajectory of domestic cases.

"Our focus has thus shifted to facilitating inflows from travellers who are less likely to become severely ill and burden our healthcare capacity while they are in Singapore," it added.

Among the changes that will be introduced is a new, single, general travel category to replace the current classification of countries and regions from Categories II, III and IV, as well a new restricted category. 

The new restricted category is for countries and regions with developing Covid-19 situations that warrant stricter border controls. 

MOH said that there are no countries or regions in the restricted category for now. 

Along with the new categorisation, MOH and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that they will be making the following changes for travellers arriving from 11.59pm on Feb 21: 

• Travel history requirement will be reduced from 14 to seven days
• The duration of stay-home notices will be set at seven days across all countries and regions 
• The enhanced testing regime for vaccinated travellers arriving on the travel lanes will be stopped
• Vaccinated travellers on the travel lane scheme and travellers from Category I countries will no longer need to perform an on-arrival polymerase chain reaction test. Instead, they will have up to 24 hours from when they enter Singapore to take a supervised self-swab antigen rapid test at one of the testing centres located here
• Long-term pass holders who are vaccinated will no longer need to obtain a vaccinated travel pass or an entry approval to enter Singapore. This change, however, does not apply to work permit holders 
• All passengers transferring or transiting through Singapore will no longer need to take a pre-departure test

TRAVEL LANE BY SEA

Singapore will be launching the first travel lane arrangement via sea from Batam and Bintan in Indonesia, as part of the country's efforts "to gradually restore transport connectivity", the Maritime Port Authority said.

For a start, 350 travellers will be allowed from Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal in Batam every week to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore, and another 350 travellers weekly from Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal in Bintan to Tanah Merah here. 

Ferry services will be operated by Batam Fast and Bintan Resort Ferries. 

Applications for this will open at 10am on Feb 22, with the first ferry trip taking place on Feb 25. 

"The VTL (Sea) will benefit users of Indonesia’s travel bubble to specific resorts in Bintan and Batam and facilitate short-term leisure travel," MOH said.

QUOTAS TO BE RESTORED

MOH also announced on Wednesday that the travel lane quota for air travel will be fully restored with immediate effect, while the quota for land travel to Malaysia will be fully restored from Feb 22.

Sales for additional bus tickets will open up on Wednesday, it added. 

CAAS said in a statement on Thursday that the move will put back on track Singapore's plans to reopen its borders safely and "reclaim Singapore's position as a global air hub".

It added that the travel lane quota for air travel will be progressively restored from 5,000 to 15,000 by March 4. 

A new travel lane arrangement with Hong Kong and the previously deferred one with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will also be launched, with applications for these travel lanes opening from 10am on Feb 22 and the first flights taking place from Feb 25.  

The travel lane with Thailand will be extended to beyond its capital Bangkok and will include flights from all other cities there. 

Singapore has also established new arrangements for vaccinated travellers with Israel and the Philippines, with visitors from these countries allowed to enter Singapore without having to serve a quarantine period from March 4. Applications for these countries open at 10am on March 1. 

CAAS said that as of Tuesday, Singapore has established travel lanes with 24 countries, with 389,046 travellers having entered the country under the scheme. 

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Fancy a Bintan or Batam trip without quarantining on arrival? What you need to know about travelling there from Singapore - and coming back

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Those travelling from Singapore are only allowed to visit Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan.

Bintan's Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal on November 24, 2020. (Photo: Kiki Siregar)

Lakeisha Leo

SINGAPORE: Hotels and businesses in Bintan and Batam have seen a spike in interest from visitors in Singapore since Indonesia's announcement on Monday (Jan 24) that it will start a quarantine-free travel arrangement between Singapore and the two islands .

The current arrangement is for people to only visit Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan. Prior to the pandemic, these areas were popular with visitors from Singapore looking for a weekend resort holiday.

The travel bubble is currently also only meant for people from Singapore to visit the two islands, but Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday that authorities will discuss how the arrangement can be made "bi-directional" . 

If you are planning for a weekend visit to these two places, here is what you need to know: 

WHERE IN BINTAN AND BATAM CAN YOU GO? 

Currently, travellers from Singapore are only allowed to visit Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan, and are not allowed to leave for other places. 

Under the travel corridor, travellers must enter Batam through the Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal to visit Nongsa. Similarly, they can only enter Bintan through the Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal to visit Lagoi. 

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS? 

Travellers from Singapore who enter Batam and Bintan are required to be fully vaccinated and test polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative 72 hours prior to departure and again upon arrival.

They must present a physical and digital card or certificate which shows that they have received a complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before departure, according to Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism. 

The card or certificate must be in English, "aside from the national language or the language of the origins of departure", said the tourism ministry. 

The vaccine cards or certificates must also be verified on the official website of Indonesia's Ministry of Health or on e-HAC International Indonesia, the country's health travel card. 

Excluding travellers with Singapore citizenship, those entering Bintan and Batam must have a tourist visa or other entry permits "according to the regulations applied". 

They must also present booking confirmation and payment of travel bubble travel packages in the Lagoi Bintan Resort or Nongsa Sensation area, said the tourism ministry. 

Travellers are also required to have health insurance with a minimum coverage value of S$30,000, which includes the "financing of COVID-19 handling and medical evacuation towards a referral hospital". 

Indonesia allows quarantine-free travel from Singapore to Bintan and Batam beginning Monday: Minister

Singapore to expedite discussions with Indonesia on travel bubble involving Batam and Bintan

Upon arrival in bintan and batam.

Travellers must use the Indonesian COVID-19 tracing apps - PeduliLindungi and Bluepass - during their activities in the travel area. 

They are also required to have their body temperature checked, as well as take an on-arrival PCR test when they enter Bintan and Batam. 

Travellers will only be allowed to continue with their journey only if their on-arrival PCR test is negative. 

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR ON-ARRIVAL PCR TEST IS POSITIVE?

For travellers whose on-arrival PCR test is positive for COVID-19, they will be required to seek treatment instead. 

Those who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic or displaying mild symptoms will be isolated or treated in a "place of insulation accommodation" that is separate from the travel bubble area, said the Indonesian tourism ministry. 

Those with moderate or severe symptoms must undergo quarantine or treatment at a hospital, or undergo medical evacuation "towards a referral hospital in accordance with the procedure set by the related referral hospital," the ministry added. 

The cost will be "entirely self-funded" for foreign nationals. Indonesian citizens will have their costs borne by the government. 

If you test positive during your trip in Bintan and Batam, the same requirements apply. 

Hotels, businesses in Bintan and Batam welcome travel bubble with Singapore, hope details will be finalised soon

What are the covid-19 rules you must observe during your trip .

All international travellers in Batam and Bintan are only allowed to interact with other tourists or parties within one travel bubble area. 

They are also only allowed to carry out activities in the "predetermined zone" according to the itinerary set. 

Travellers are required to report to health workers within the travel bubble area should they experience any COVID-19 symptoms, where they will be required to take a PCR test. 

They must also comply with Indonesia's contact tracing and quarantine rules if a positive COVID-19 case is found in the relevant travel bubble area. 

Other health protocols include wearing a three-layer fabric or medical mask, changing their masks regularly every four hours, washing their hands regularly, keeping a safe distance of 1.5m from others, avoiding crowds, as well as using the PeduliLindungi tracing app. 

HOW DO YOU RETURN TO SINGAPORE?

The Bintan and Batam travel arrangement is currently only meant for people from Singapore to visit the two islands, but Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday that authorities will discuss how the arrangement can be made "bi-directional" . 

This means that those who do decide to visit Bintan or Batam from Singapore will have to adhere to current COVID-19 border measures when they return from their trip.

Currently, there is only a vaccinated travel lane (air) option for those entering Singapore from Indonesia. Fully-vaccinated people have been allowed to  enter Singapore from Jakarta via Changi Airport since Nov 29.

According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) SafeTravel website, there are no applicable SafeTravel Lanes for those entering Singapore from Indonesia. 

As Indonesia is classified as a Category II country, all non-VTL travellers from Indonesia are required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within two days before departing for Singapore. 

Under current guidelines, they are also required to serve a seven-day stay-home notice at their place of residence or a self-sourced accommodation, and take a PCR test at the end of their stay-home notice period.

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On-arrival Covid-19 tests, quotas dropped for Bintan/Batam ferry passengers from April 1

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Travel to Batam and Bintan by sea will from April 1 be simplified, with the quota of weekly passengers lifted, no more special designated vaccinated travel lane (VTL) ferries and no more on-arrival tests.

Anyone who is fully vaccinated will need to do only a pre-departure Covid-19 test within two days before taking the ferry to travel quarantine free, Transport Minister S. Iswaran said on Thursday (March 24).

This can be in the form of a polymerase chain reaction test, a professionally administered antigen rapid test (ART) or a self-administered ART that is remotely supervised by an ART provider.

The changes are in line with the simplification of the VTL air links that Mr Iswaran announced on Thursday, as Singapore takes its most major steps yet to treat the coronavirus as endemic.

With the shift, tourists entering Singapore via the sea lanes will no longer have to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass, previously used by the authorities to control the number of people entering Singapore.

They will also no longer need to show proof of a hotel booking confirmation and payment for the duration of their stay, or present a return ferry ticket.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said the simplified travel protocols will apply to any other ferry service routes it grants approval to later.

Those who need a visa to travel to Singapore must still get it and short-term visitors to Singapore must have a minimum travel insurance coverage of $30,000 for Covid-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs.

The VTL lanes with Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal in Batam and Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal in Bintan began in February, with a quota of 350 travellers weekly to each destination.

Read next: What you need to know about Singapore's latest Covid-19 rules

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Batam Ferry VTL (2022): How much it costs to visit Batam & Bintan now

Dying to leave this island after two years of Covid-19 but not about to fork out the cash for an overpriced VTL flight? Rejoice, as you can now hop on a ferry to Batam or Bintan.

Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from Singapore to Indonesia (Batam & Bintan) by ferry service will start on 25 Feb 2022 as part of Singapore’s simplified border measures, announced on 16 Feb. That means you won’t need to quarantine after both legs of your journey if you’re fully vaccinated.

If you have family in Batam, it’s time to bust out the kueh at your first reunion in two years! For Singaporeans itching for a quick getaway, the trip to Batam or Bintan is a quick and easy 45 minute ride.

So, how do you get a VTL sea ticket? And how much will it cost to travel to Bintan or Batam now? Read on to find out.

Bintan & Batam Ferry VTL

The VTL Sea will operate from the Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to the following destinations:

• Batam Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal (350 travellers /week)
• Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal (350 travellers /week)

VTL Sea tickets can only be booked through one of the following ferry operators:

• Bintan Resort Ferries

Batam Ferry VTL Schedule & Price

To book a Batam Ferry VTL trip from Singapore to Batam, select “Tanah Merah to Nongsa” on Batam Fast’s website . At the time of writing, you could only book trips in the first week of March 2022 or earlier.

Batam Ferry only operates VTL rides on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends. Here’s the schedule:

A round trip costs $80 per person . This is inclusive of boat fare, surcharge and departure fees.

Bintan Ferry VTL Schedule & Price

To book a Bintan Ferry VTL trip, head to Bintan Resort Ferry’s website and select “Singapore (TMFT to BBT)”.

Bintan Ferry operates rides on Fridays, Mondays and weekends. Here’s the schedule:

A round trip costs $130 per person , including a $20 refundable deposit, boat fare, PCR test upon arrival in Bintan and levies / fees.

Travelling as a group or family? You can also go by private charter .

Am I eligible for VTL Sea?

Travel requirements via VTL Sea are the same as for VTL Air.

• Be fully vaccinated.
• Be a Singapore Citizen, PR, Long Term Pass Holder (except work permit holder) or unvaccinated child aged 12 years and below accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
• Have remained in a VTL country or Category 1 country (including transit stops) in the last seven consecutive days before departing from or returning to Singapore.
• Get a negative result on a PCR test or professionally-administered ART test taken within two days before departing for Singapore.
• Upon return to Singapore, take an on-arrival supervised ART test at a Quick Test Centre or Combined Test Centre within 24 hours of arrival and remain self-isolated until you get a negative result. You must travel to your accommodation via private transport, taxi or private car.

What if you’re a tourist in Singapore and want to make a trip to Batam? If you are a short term visitor or work permit holder, you can also travel via the VTL on condition that you:

• Apply between 3 to 60 days before departure for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP), which is valid for 14 days, and entry visa (if required)
• Use Trace Together app in Singapore
• Purchase travel insurance with minimum Covid-19 coverage of 30,000 SGD (work permit holders exempted from this requirement)
• Have a return ferry ticket corresponding to the duration of your hotel stay (work permit holders exempted from this requirement)
• Show proof of hotel booking confirmation and payment for duration of stay in Singapore in an approved hotel (work permit holders exempted from this requirement)

Batam & Bintan VTL vs Travel Bubble

On 23 Feb 2022, the government launched Singapore-Batam and Singapore-Bintan travel bubbles. This isn’t the same thing as the VTR.

Here’s how the travel bubble differs from the VTL:

• Travel Bubble is available only for trips between Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Batam Nongsapura or Bintan Lagoi.
• Travellers to Batam must have a confirmed package from one of these resorts: Batam View Beach Resort, Montigo Resorts , Nongsa P oint Marina & Resort or Turi Beach Resort .
• Travellers to Batam must have a confirmed package from one of these resorts: The Anmon Bintan, Doulos Phos Ship Hotel, Banyan Tree Bintan, Mayang Sari Beach Resort, The Sanchaya, Club Med Bintan, Ria Bintan Golf Club or Cassia Bintan
• Those travelling via the travel bubble must stay within designated areas and cannot mix with visitors outside of their group.

The requirements for the travel bubble are also different.

Travellers must:

• Have stayed in Singapore for the last 14 days prior to the trip.
• Have received at least 2 vaccine doses, with the last dose being at least 14 days from the departure date.
• Get a negative result on a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
• Have travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage of at least 30,000 SGD.
• Download the Peduli Lindugi app (Indonesia’s official contact tracing app) and fill up the e-HAC.

Batam / Bintan resorts price comparison

Here’s how much you can expect to pay to stay in Batam or Bintan. We’ve used the lowest room rates for dates which accord with the VTL ferry schedules. At some Bintan resorts, staying from Sunday to Monday works out to be cheaper than Friday or Saturday night.

Do I need to buy travel insurance?

If you are travelling via the travel bubble or are a work permit holder or short-term visitor to Singapore travelling via the VTL, you must have insurance offering at least 30,000 SGD worth of Covid-19 coverage.

For everyone else, travel insurance isn’t compulsory, but you should definitely still buy a plan with Covid-19 coverage! If you test positive for Covid-19 and are forced to cancel your trip, the insurance plan will enable you to recoup some of your costs.

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28 Singaporeans first to arrive in Batam under 'travel bubble' arrangement

Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

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Under the travel bubble, the Singaporean visitors can visit only Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan. - LIANHE ZAOBAO

JAKARTA (The Straits Times): Twenty eight Singapore travellers arrived on Wednesday (Feb 23) in Batam, Riau Islands, under a travel bubble that allows those fully vaccinated to enter the city and neighbouring Bintan island without quarantine.

They were the first to arrive in Batam after local authorities closed its borders to foreigners for nearly two years. The travel bubble came into force on Jan 24.

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Tags / Keywords: Indonesia , Singapore , Batam , bubble , tourists

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First Singaporean tourists arrive in Batam under travel bubble

The visit takes place nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic closed international borders

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A traveler from Singapore is greeted by local authorities as the first batch of tourists arrives under the Singapore-Batam-Bintan travel bubble arrangement in Nongsapura Port, Batam, on Wednesday. (JP/Fadli)

February 24, 2022

JAKARTA – The first group of Singaporean tourists arrived in Batam, Riau Islands province, under a travel bubble deal on Wednesday, nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic closed international borders.

The cities of Batam and Bintan have been hard at work in preparation for the revival of their tourism industry, just under a month after Indonesia introduced plans to reopen borders to fully vaccinated tourists from Singapore under a unilateral travel bubble arrangement.

As many as 28 Singaporean nationals arrived by ferry at Nongsapura Port in Batam’s north and were greeted by Riau Islands governor Ansar Ahmad as they waited for the results of their COVID-19 swab tests.

“This is just the first phase of the plan, and we’ll continue to review the latest developments. But it’s really something to celebrate after nearly two years of disruptions,” Ansar told reporters at the docks.

A separate welcoming event is planned for Thursday for 150 Singaporean nationals arriving in Bintan. There to welcome the holidaymakers will be Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo.

Under the arrangement, fully vaccinated foreign tourists must undergo testing upon arrival before proceeding directly to their accommodation, which lies within the designated Nongsa vacation area.

“They will be chaperoned and asked to remain within Nongsa,” said Buralimar, the head of the Riau Islands Tourism Agency, at the welcome event.

Tourists are allowed to enter the travel bubble area – but nowhere else – without mandatory quarantine, so long as they meet certain criteria, including having health insurance coverage of at least S$30,000 (US$22,284).

Singaporean travelers can only enter through Nongsapura Port in Batam and Bandar Bentan Telani Port in Bintan.

The governor said the first batch of arrivals marked the revival of the province’s tourism industry, which has faced severe headwinds amid pandemic border closures.

“After the success of the travel bubble, we are hoping it will lead to the establishment of a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) not unlike the one in Singapore.”

Singapore accounted for the second-largest number of visitors to Indonesia in 2019, after Malaysia. Last year, however, it ranked seventh, as the city-state imposed strict travel curbs.

The neighboring country has yet to reciprocate Indonesia’s tourism initiatives in full, according to Buralimar. He said there was a set quota to transport 500 people into Batam per week, whereas Singapore only allowed 350 people per week for the return journey.

“We’ve asked for a fairer adjustment. Otherwise, the amount of tourists going one way will be more than those heading in the other direction,” he said, adding that people wishing to return to Singapore would need to stay two or three nights longer if the quota was exceeded.

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Follow our news, recent searches, in addition to bali, foreign travellers can now enter indonesia’s bintan and batam without quarantine, advertisement.

Indonesia will need to discuss with Singapore regarding how these new protocols could be synchronised with existing VTL procedures, says the tourism chief of the Riau Islands.

Kiki Siregar

JAKARTA: Foreign travellers can now enter the Indonesian islands of Bintan and Batam without quarantine, in addition to Bali.

According to an Indonesia COVID-19 task force circular issued on Tuesday (Mar 8), travellers from abroad can enter via Batam’s Hang Nadim Airport, Batam Port, Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Tanjung Pinang, Bintan Port and Tanjung Pinang Port.

Among the task force’s duties include regulating travel health protocols amid the pandemic.

To be eligible, travellers must be fully vaccinated and show a negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken 48 hours before departure, the circular wrote. 

Foreign travellers must also have a valid visa and show payment of a tourism package or hotel in Batam or Bintan. They also need to have health insurance which covers COVID-19 treatment worth S$20,000. 

Upon arrival, tourists will need to undergo an RT-PCR test and have a negative result. 

During their stay, they must also use Indonesia’s COVID-19 tracing app PeduliLindungi.

Travellers have to take a swab test again on the third day and if it is negative, they may proceed to visit other parts of Indonesia the next day. 

However, they will need to adhere to health protocols such as wearing a mask that has at least three layers, keeping a 1.5m distance from other people and washing their hands periodically, the Tuesday circular also wrote. 

When asked by CNA if the travel bubble between Singapore, Nongsa Batam and Bintan Lagoi would continue to be in force, Mr Hery Trianto, the head of public communication of the COVID-19 task force said that the existing vaccinated travel lane (VTL) protocols will be replaced by what is stipulated in the latest circular.    Riau Islands’ tourism chief Buralimar, who goes by one name, also confirmed with CNA that the procedures as outlined in the latest circular will supersede existing VTL protocols. 

“The central government's intention is correct, but perhaps the technicalities need to be synchronised,” said Mr Buralimar.

“Perhaps we also need to tell Singapore about the latest regulation … so the VTL can be synchronised.”   On Jan 24, Indonesia said that it will allow travellers from Singapore to travel under a travel bubble to Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal (NIFT) in Batam and Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal (BBTFT) in Bintan, without the need for quarantine.

Subsequently, Singapore announced on Feb 25 that it will launch VTL arrangements via sea with Batam and Bintan, as part of efforts to gradually restore transport connectivity.  

Batam, Bintan reopen amid less-than-expected Singapore visitor turnout | Video

The new regulation by the task force comes as Indonesia is starting to loosen its travel health protocols amid declining COVID-19 cases. 

On Monday, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan announced that travellers from abroad can enter Bali quarantine-free starting from the same day.

He added at that time: “If this trial is successful, we will implement quarantine-free travel for all arrivals from abroad arriving in the country as of April 1, 2022, or even sooner.”

Also from Monday, tourists from 23 countries entering Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport can obtain a visa on arrival instead of needing to apply for a visa pre-departure.   Responding to CNA’s queries, Mr Achmad Nur Saleh, a coordinator of public relations with the directorate general of immigration said that as of Wednesday, travellers to Batam and Bintan will still need to apply for a visa prior to their departure. 

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Novie Riyanto, director general of air transport with the transport ministry, said: "With the implementation of no quarantine for Bali, Batam and Bintan, it is hoped that gradually and continuously, it can support the revival of tourism and become a momentum to revive the aviation industry in the country."

As of Wednesday, Indonesia reported 26,336 new COVID-19 cases and 304 deaths among its 270 million population. It recorded its highest daily caseload last month with over 57,000 cases.

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

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All vaccinated travellers can enter Singapore without quarantine from April 1, no need for VTL flights

SINGAPORE - All travellers vaccinated against Covid-19 and children aged 12 and below will be able to enter Singapore with just a pre-departure Covid-19 test from 11.59pm on March 31.

In Singapore's most significant move to reopen its borders, travellers will no longer be required to take only designated flights to enter Singapore quarantine-free, and will not have to take a Covid-19 antigen rapid test (ART) within 24 hours of arrival.

There will also be no more quotas on the number of daily arrivals and no entry approvals needed for all vaccinated travellers.

The new border policies will make the travel experience almost like that before the pandemic.

The new travel scheme, named the Vaccinated Travel Framework, will replace the existing Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday (March 24) that the pre-departure test two days before departure will, however, remain in place for now.

"We will continue to monitor the local and global Covid-19 situations and consider removing the pre-departure test requirement in the coming weeks," said MOH.

Non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above are generally not allowed to enter Singapore. 

But exemptions will be made for long-term pass holders medically ineligible for vaccines, long-term pass holders aged 13 to 17, and long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with other valid entry approvals. 

These visitors are required to take a pre-departure test within two days before departure for Singapore, undergo a seven-day stay-home notice (SHN), and take a polymerase chain reaction test at the end of their SHN period.

Transport Minister S. Iswaran said at a press conference held by the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 that there will be several other changes with the reopening to all vaccinated travellers.

Air crew can resume normal activities in Singapore or overseas. They will be subject to similar testing requirements as vaccinated travellers.

Airport workers only need to put on surgical masks, except for those in higher-risk roles who will be required to wear a face shield and gloves. They will no longer be required to undergo regular Covid-19 testings.

The airport will no longer be segregated into zones, thus allowing all travellers to move around freely in the transit area.

But Mr Iswaran cautioned that Singapore must be prepared to quickly re-establish public health protocols if the Covid-19 situation changes suddenly.

He added: “This shift to the Vaccinated Travel Framework is a decisive step for Singapore and an important signal to the world – that Singapore has fully reopened its borders, that we are reconnecting with the world, and reclaiming Changi’s status as an international aviation hub.”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised speech on Thursday morning that the move to reopen to vaccinated travellers will give a much-needed boost to businesses, particularly those in the tourism sector, and help Singapore reclaim its position as a business and aviation hub.

The Government had earlier announced a target to restore air travel to 50 per cent of the levels before the Covid-19 pandemic this year.

The total number of passenger movements through Changi in February this year was 13.7 per cent of the levels in February 2019 prior to the pandemic.

MOH on Thursday also updated its policy for billing travellers infected with Covid-19 for treatment, with immediate effect. 

Under the old system, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders were required to pay for Covid-19 treatment at hospitals and Covid-19 treatment and recovery facilities, if they tested positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of their return to Singapore.

But this policy has now been changed, with the new Vaccinated Travel Framework, said MOH.

Vaccinated Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who are subject to general travel category border measures will now no longer be required to pay for medical bills incurred for Covid-19 treatment in hospitals and community treatment facilities.

MOH said any future changes to the billing policy for local community cases will correspondingly apply to this group of travellers. 

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will remain responsible for their Covid-19 treatment costs, as per the billing policy for unvaccinated individuals who contract Covid-19 in the community.

Changi Airport Group chief executive Lee Seow Hiang said the airport is now preparing to welcome more travellers.

“The normalisation of airport protocols will also be welcomed by airport workers, who have been working tirelessly over the past two years to ensure a safe environment for travellers,” he added. 

“We will continue to ensure that air travel is safe for our passengers, even as we begin to restore Changi’s handling capacity.”

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific Philip Goh said the reopening will enable airlines to ramp up their services. He added that the removal of pre-departure testing in time to come will also boost the aviation sector’s journey towards a full recovery.

“We have seen other significant moves in the region to reopen borders recently, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam,” said Mr Goh.

“This means many key markets in Asia will become more accessible to each other, restoring crucial air connectivity to the rest of the world.”

Read next: What you need to know about Singapore's latest Covid-19 rules

S'pore eases travel restrictions

Entry approval.

- Fully vaccinated travellers do not require any entry approvals to enter Singapore; this means that travellers who were required to apply for vaccinated travel passes no longer need to do so. The air travel pass required as part of Singapore’s unilateral opening to Macau, China and Taiwan will no longer be required as well.

- Fully vaccinated travellers will still be required to take a pre-departure test within two days before departing for Singapore and obtain a negative test result. But they will no longer need to take any Covid-19 tests after arrival in Singapore.

Designated flights and quotas

- Fully vaccinated travellers can enter Singapore on any flights without having to serve quarantine from April 1. There will no longer be any quotas applied on daily arrivals.

Vaccination status

- Travellers will be able to show all vaccination certificates regardless of place of issuance as proof of vaccination. These certificates are not required to be digitally verifiable. Children aged 12 years and below are exempted from the vaccination requirement, in line with domestic measures.

Singapore Arrival Card

- The existing SG Arrival Card will be simplified such that they can be completed easily. Travellers will just need to submit  their personal particulars, vaccination status and health declaration.

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