Clear skies ahead: CAAS restores VTL program

New VTLs for Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE were also announced.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has restored and extended the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) program.

This move lifts the 50% cap on the daily number of VTL travellers and restores the quota of 5,000 daily travellers to 15,000 by 4 March 2022.

Additional VTLs were also announced for Qatar, Saudi, and the United Arab Emirates, after being delayed from their original opening last 6 December 2021 due to the Omicron variant.

Hong Kong’s VTL, meanwhile, will see the ceasing of the current unilateral opening arrangement, following the Ministry of Health’s review of the situation. Visitors from Hong Kong will also have to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Singapore quarantine-free.

Travellers from these countries may enter Singapore under the VTL programme on or after 25 February 2022, with Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) applications for these regions opening on 22 February at 10:00 pm.

Meanwhile, applications by short-term visitors for the Air Travel Pass from Hong Kong to Singapore will cease on 17 February 2022. Those who will be travelling to Hong Kong and is currently in possession of a valid VTP may enter Singapore until 24 February 2022 at 11:59 pm. Existing ATPs for entry into Singapore after this date will be rescinded.

Thailand’s current VTL program is expected to expand to include all cities in Thailand, with airlines being able to submit plans for designated flights.

New VTLs for Israel and the Philippines will also be established to allow two-way quarantine free travel, with travellers from these countries being allowed to enter under the VTL on or before 4 March 2022. VTP applications for these countries are set to open on 1 March 2022 at 10:00 am.

Adjustments will also be made to border measures. At the top of this is the ceasing of the enhanced seven-day testing regime for arriving VTL travellers for those entering Singapore from 21 February 2022, 11:59 pm.  In addition, VTL travellers will not need to perform an on-arrival PCR test at Changi Airport. Instead, upon 24 hours of their arrival, visitors will need to take a supervised self-swab Antigen Rapid Test at one of the testing centres across Singapore.