As Singapore’s travel restrictions ease and more VTLs launch, are people happy that the city state is reopening to the world?
- Singapore residents have mixed feelings over the opening of vaccinated travel lanes, with some saying they undermine tough local Covid-19 measures
- Others are more upbeat and welcome the move to see much-missed family and friends
Vaccinated Singaporeans are beginning to venture out into the world again, without having to quarantine. Since the launch of the first vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs), with Germany and Brunei, on September 8, Singapore has opened VTLs with 11 other countries, including Australia and the United States.
To take advantage of these corridors, travellers must be fully inoculated with an approved vaccine, hold accepted proof of that vaccination, and fulfil travel history and VTL flight requirements.
Foreigners intending to visit Singapore must additionally have travel insurance and apply ahead of departure for a vaccinated travel pass.
Being able to travel to another country to see loved ones, or for a change of scenery, or just for a breather – especially to Western countries, where Covid-19 rules are less stifling – has come as good news to many in the Lion City.
Yet social distancing measures within Singapore – which include a cap on dine-in group sizes at restaurants of two, or five if all are from the same household – are seen as being at odds with the idea of opening up.
We speak to Singaporean residents to hear what they think of the city’s reopening.
