Singapore Has Eased Air Travel Restrictions

The IATA and the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) have welcomed Singapore’s announcement to ease the border system for entry into the country.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Friday that it would update its travel consultant to study in Brunei and New Zealand, as well as study abroad. MOH further said that some travelers from these two countries will be able to take a COVID19 test after arriving in Singapore instead of separating. The so-called quarantine period in Singapore, or stay-home notice (SHN), is also being reduced from 14 days for travelers to low-risk countries, including: Australia (excluding the state of Victoria), Macau, mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia. The changes will be effective for all travelers entering or leaving Singapore from 1 September 2020.

Travelers are advised to check the entry restrictions of their destination country. For example, New Zealand’s borders are closed to everyone and there is a travel consultant to advise against travel outside the country.

Conrad Clifford, IATA’s Asia-Pacific Regional Vice President, said: Our latest forecast indicates that travel expectations will not return to 2019 levels until 2024, one year earlier. The key to recovery is to open the border and lift measures such as travel restrictions and segregation. Singapore’s announcement is a step in the right direction. We hope to work closely with the government to ensure that Singapore’s aviation industry can safely resume while reducing the chances of a COPID 19 infection, and we urge other states in the region to look at ways to safely resume international travel, including the implementation of travel bubbles. “

Travelers entering Singapore and those who are in Brunei Darussalam or New Zealand 14 days prior to entry will not be required to provide any SHN. Instead, they will test a COVID19 upon arrival at the airport and will only be allowed about their activities in Singapore after receiving a negative test result.

Before traveling to Singapore, visitors from Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand must apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) within 7 to 30 days of the scheduled date of entry into Singapore. If they need to be treated for COVID19 while in Singapore, they are liable for their medical bills. ATP applications for travel will start from September 8, 2020, starting from September 120.

Returning Singapore nationals, permanent residents and long-term pass holders will not have to serve SHNs in the same way and will undergo a COVID19 test upon arrival. They do not need to apply for ATP.

AAP Director General Subhash Menon also welcomed the news, saying, “Unilaterally opening the border for passengers from Brunei and New Zealand is a very important step in the right direction. Cross-border travel has been suspended since March 2020. Asia Pacific Appreciates the Government of Singapore’s efforts to reintroduce safe yet progressive air travel to the region. . “

The global airline is expected to lose $ 4.3 billion by 2020, with Air Pacific Airlines forecasting the largest net loss of ৯ 29 billion. Compared to 2019, the number of global passengers is expected to decrease by 55%.

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