SG opens VTLs to Australia and Switzerland

The extension is part of the CAAS' cautious effort to revive air travel.

Singapore will extend the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme to Australia and Switzerland for entry into Singapore from 8 November as part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore's (CAAS) to reclaim and rebuild the country's status as an international aviation hub with global connectivity.

Under the VTL, fully vaccinated travellers from these countries may enter Singapore without quarantine and only need to undergo COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. Children aged 12 years and below who are not vaccinated will be allowed to travel under the VTL into Singapore if they are accompanied by a VTL traveller who meets all VTL requirements.

Singapore and Australia are longstanding partners with strong people-to-people, economic and defence ties. Pre-COVID, Australia was amongst the top ten markets for annual passenger arrivals at Changi Airport, accounting for about 4% of total arrivals in 2019. More than 50,000 Singaporeans live in Australia, and over 25,000 Australians live in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Switzerland is a major financial centre and ranks among Singapore's top trading and investment partners. It has a strong business presence of over 1,000 Swiss companies operating in Singapore, including large banks, insurance companies and industry corporates. There are also about 3,000 Swiss expatriates living in Singapore.

As the global COVID-19 situation evolves, the CAAS says it will continue to adjust border measures with the appropriate safeguards to ensure public health and safety.