Vaccination progress continues and Singapore offers a glimpse of the future.

With 71% of the population vaccinated, Singapore advances towards more open borders.  Three new programs are starting soon.

• Starting 26 August, arrivals to Singapore from Hong Kong and Macau will be exempt from quarantine.  Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders arriving from these two locations will be able to skip quarantine starting Saturday, 21 August.  A PCR test is still required, although participants do not need to be vaccinated.  Countries will now be divided into four categories and vaccination-differentiated border measures will apply to each.
• A new Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) will be introduced to facilitate the arrival of fully vaccinated travelers from specific locations who will be able to forgo Stay-Home-Notice and instead participate in additional PCR testing.  VTL travel is set to being first with Brunei and Germany.  The number allowed under this scheme will be limited and arrivals must be on non-stop flights.  Applications for VTP will start 1 September for travel dates starting 8 September.  Note, citizens and permanent residents of Singapore do not need to apply for the program.
• Starting 20 August, arrivals fully vaccinated with a WHO Emergency Use Authorized vaccine will receive a tamper-proof vaccination sticker which will enable holders to participate in vaccination-differentiated safe management measures when producing their passport with valid sticker.

These programs may offer insight into the future as other countries achieve substantial vaccination rates.

Full details regarding these programs can be found on the document Next Steps in Our Transition Towards COVID Resilience.

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