Singapore to extend vaccinated travel lane scheme to Australia and Switzerland

With the extension to Australia and Switzerland, the quota for these coming into Singapore below the scheme can be elevated from 3,000 to 4,000 travellers every day, CAAS mentioned.

"We will monitor the progress of the scheme closely before deciding on any further increases in capacity," it added.

CAAS famous that each Australia and Switzerland come below Category II of the Ministry of Health's border measures, with comparable or decrease COVID-19 incidence charges than Singapore and different nations below the vaccinated travel lane scheme. 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had introduced final week that Singapore and Australia have been within the remaining phases of talks to arrange a travel association, with a plan possible to be established "within the next week or so".

The Sydney Morning Herald reported then that the scheme would initially be centered on vaccinated college students and enterprise travellers, earlier than opening up to vacationers. 

On Tuesday, CAAS mentioned that Australia is amongst Singapore's prime 10 markets for annual passenger arrivals at Changi Airport, accounting for about 4 per cent of complete arrivals in 2019.

More than 50,000 Singaporeans reside in Australia, it famous, including that about 25,000 Australians reside in Singapore.

"The VTL will enable them to reconnect with their loved ones back home, whom they have been physically separated from for more than a year," mentioned CAAS.

On Mr Morrison's feedback that Australia will reopen to more travellers from Singapore, CAAS mentioned Canberra will launch more particulars at a later time.

As for Switzerland, it ranks amongst Singapore’s prime buying and selling and funding companions, with about 3,000 Swiss expatriates residing in Singapore, mentioned CAAS.

All travellers from Singapore are at the moment allowed to enter Switzerland and are usually not required to self-quarantine upon arrival.