Singapore Expands Travel Lane Scheme to Switzerland
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Singapore will be adding two countries to the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, under which travelers will only need to take a Covid-19 swab test after arrival and before departure in Singapore.
Vaccinated travelers from Switzerland and Australia will be able to enter Singapore without serving stay-home notices from November 8, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced on Tuesday evening.
All Singapore Airlines flights from Switzerland to Singapore will be offered under the VTL program from November 8, with flight SQ345 operating daily between the two financial centers.
The Alpine nation is among Singapore’s top investment and trading partners, and there are around 1,000 Swiss companies and around 3,000 Swiss expatriates in the city-state, CAAS noted.
Switzerland’s borders are open to all travellers from Singapore. Australia plans to open its borders to skilled workers and international students by year’s end, authorities said on Wednesday.
We are in discussions with other partners, including our regional neighbors, to reopen safely to each other, and restore our close connectivity, S. Iswaran, Transport Minister, said.
The VTL scheme currently includes Germany, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, with South Korea to be added on November 15.
With the announcement of the new VTLs, Singapore will also be expanding its daily quota of VTL arrivals from 3,000 to 4,000,
Questions & Answers
Q.Which countries are being added to Singapore's Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme?
Which countries are being added to Singapore's Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme?
Singapore is adding Switzerland and Australia to its VTL scheme. This allows vaccinated travellers from these countries to enter Singapore without serving stay-home notices, provided they take a Covid-19 swab test on arrival and before departure.
Q.When will the new VTLs for Switzerland and Australia come into effect?
When will the new VTLs for Switzerland and Australia come into effect?
The new Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme for Switzerland and Australia will begin on November 8. Vaccinated travellers from these nations can utilise the VTL from this date, avoiding stay-home notices upon arrival in Singapore.
Q.Why is Switzerland considered a significant partner for Singapore?
Why is Switzerland considered a significant partner for Singapore?
Switzerland is a top investment and trading partner for Singapore. There are approximately 1,000 Swiss companies and about 3,000 Swiss expatriates residing in the city-state, highlighting strong economic and community ties.
Q.How will the daily quota for VTL arrivals be affected by the expansion?
How will the daily quota for VTL arrivals be affected by the expansion?
With the announcement of the new VTLs, Singapore will increase its daily quota for Vaccinated Travel Lane arrivals. The current limit of 3,000 will be expanded to accommodate 4,000 travellers per day.