A masked pilot walks through Singapore’s Changi Airport. Photo: Getty Images
Singapore has frozen the sale of incoming flight and bus tickets as part of its quarantine-free travel program for four weeks from Thursday, the government said, citing the risk of the rapidly spreading Omicron-COVID-19 variant.
Under the VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) program, Singapore allows quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated travelers arriving on certain flights or buses from certain countries. Travelers must undergo regular testing.
About two dozen countries are featured in the program, including Australia, India, Malaysia, the UK and the United States.
However, no new tickets would be issued to people hoping to arrive from any of those countries from Thursday to January 20, the government said on Wednesday.
“Our border actions will help buy us time to study and understand the Omicron variant and strengthen our defenses, including improving our health capacity and vaccinating and empowering more people,” the health ministry said in a statement.
The government said it will also reduce VTL quotas and ticket sales for travel after January 20. For flights, the total number of VTL tickets would be limited to 50% of the previously allocated quota.
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Travelers who already have tickets for VTL flights or buses and meet all other requirements can continue to travel under the program.
The government also urged people arriving in Singapore to minimize their social interactions, avoid large gatherings and eat out for seven days, even if their tests, which they have to take every day throughout the week, are negative.
Singapore has confirmed 65 imported Omicron cases, along with a handful of local cases. However, the government said it has been able to limit community forwarding.
Reuters
December 24, 2021
