Well it looks like I have egg on my face now. Delicious, nourishing egg. On the same day I wrote about how Singapore’s rumoured pilot programmes for business and leisure travellers were a step in the wrong direction, they’ve gone and announced something very different.
From 8 September 2021, fully vaccinated Singapore residents will be able to travel to and from Germany and Brunei with no quarantine requirement on either side, under a newly-formed Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) agreement.
Overview: Vaccinated Travel Lane
To avoid an SHN on return to Singapore, VTL travellers must:
- Apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between 7 and 30 days before their intended arrival in Singapore (not required for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents)
- Take a pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours of their scheduled flight departure from Germany/Brunei
- Travel on a designated VTL flight from Germany/Brunei
- Take an on-arrival PCR test at Changi Airport
- Take post-arrival PCR tests on day 3 and day 7 after arrival, at a designated clinic
A few things to note.
First, the VTP requirement is only for short-term visitors and long-term pass holders, and applications will open from 1 September 2021.
Second, children aged below 12 are currently not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and therefore cannot travel on the VTL.
Third, on arrival back in Singapore, you’ll need to complete a PCR test and head directly to your self-isolation accommodation in a private vehicle, private-hire car, or taxi (no public transport). You’ll need to isolate until your PCR test result comes back- if it’s negative, you can move around as per normal.
Fourth, VTL travellers must have remained in Singapore, Germany or Brunei for the last 21 consecutive days prior to departure for Singapore. In other words, taking a road trip from Germany to neighbouring countries will disqualify you from SHN-free travel, even if you ultimately fly back from Germany (unless, of course, you do a road trip outside Germany, return to Germany and spend 21 days, then fly home).
Fifth, it goes without saying that all VTL travellers must be fully vaccinated, defined as 14 days after completing the full regimen of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna or other WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines.
The CAAS further stipulates that the vaccination must have been done in Singapore, Germany or Brunei. This means that individuals who were vaccinated overseas will not yet be eligible for the VTL, even if they got their vaccination recognised here.
Designated Flights
VTL travellers must take one of the designated flights below in order to avoid an SHN on arrival.
| VTL from Germany to Singapore | |||||||||
| Flights | Days | ||||||||
| SQ325 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| FRA 2200 |
โ | SIN 1625 (+1) |
โ | โ | โ | ||||
| SQ331 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| MUC 1315 |
โ | SIN 0705 (+1) |
โ | โ | |||||
| LH778 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| FRA 2155 |
โ | SIN 1645 (+1) |
โ | โ | |||||
You can travel on any flight from Singapore to Germany, since Germany permits entry for Singapore residents without any specific flight restrictions.
| VTL from Brunei to Singapore | |||||||||
| Flights | Days | ||||||||
| BI421 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BWN 0915 |
โ | SIN 1120 |
โ | ||||||
| BI423 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BWN 1820 |
โ | SIN 2025 |
โ | ||||||
| SQ143 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BWN 1205 |
โ | SIN 1415 |
โ | ||||||
PCR Testing Requirement
Travelling on the VTL won’t be cheap. While Germany does not have a pre-departure COVID-19 test requirement for Singapore residents, they’ll still have to do four tests in total– one before departing Germany, and three when back in Singapore.
I haven’t researched PCR pricing in Germany, but I do know that the Changi Airport test costs S$160, and the Day 3/7 tests will cost S$94.16 each. The Day 3 and 7 PCR tests must be made at a designated clinic (list yet to be released), using a unique booking link which will be emailed to you. Tests must be done by 1500 on each relevant day.
Those who fail to complete the PCR tests on return to Singapore may be served with an SHN to quarantine in a dedicated facility, so don’t mess around with this.
Conclusion
At long last, SHN-free travel is a (practical) reality. While Brunei may not be everyone’s cup of tea (and in any case, isn’t taking short-term visitors), Germany is a great prize indeed.
There’s a lot to dig into here, so look out for further articles on The Milelion in the next couple of days.
Fingers crossed that cost of PCR tests will be reduced to make travel more affordable.
Pity that no exemption granted for children who cannot be vaccinated.
Today is a good day.
Finally!
Hi Aaron and friends, I was wondering since Europe has open borders, practically speaking, how would the Singaporean government know if we travel outside of Germany (eg. Holland/France etc) within the 21 day period? Happy to hear your comments!
you will make a self-declaration. God help you if you lie.
Don’t screw this up for the rest of us! Be honest!
They can but for practical purposes won’t. But there is a local saying that while shrewdness is good, don’t try to be too clever.
A false immigration declaration could end very badly – an almost certain jail term for locals and revocation of work/residency passes for foreigners. Just stick to beer and sausages if you’re eligible this round. More importantly, don’t mess it up for the rest of us waiting to get out!
Exactly this.
Although I already foresee some individuals trying to circumvent Singapore’s SHN policy by traveling to germany, then onwards to Singapore without spending 21 days in Germany. ICA’s no doubt wise to these tricks, and the authorities are bound to make an example of the first person they catch.
You post on social media. Then the gov will know LOL
Dear Aaron,
I do not understand “the past 21 consecutive days in Germany” requirements. Does it mean I must stay for minimum 21 days in Germany before I depart to Singapore via VTL flight? If I stay for 14 days in Germany only, do I meet the requirements.
Thanks for help.
You can be in sg or Germany, either one. So yes
Why Singapore? Just curious. is your yes refer to my 14 days in Germany? Tks Aaron
You need to spend the last 21 days in either Singapore or Germany before stepping onto the plane. Any other country within the last 21 days disqualifies you from the VTL flights.
Arriving in DE from SG and staying for a weekend is fine.
Arriving in DE from UK/IT/FR and staying less than 21 days is not.
Same here. I also have trouble interpreting this sentence since there were no illustrative examples provided.
It says you have to be in Germany, Brunei or Singapore for the last 21 days. So if your travel originates in Singapore, you travel to Germany for 5 days, you still qualify because you would have 16 days in Singapore (unless you were one of the few who could travel elsewhere) plus the 5 in Germany.
Itโs 21 days in Singapore OR Germany. The operative word is โorโ.
I am still not too optimistic. If and when the VTL happens, demand for the flights will be sky high, and the tickets priced accordingly, at least until the end of the year.
There will unlikely be award seats as well.
SQ has spare capacity – I’m sure they’ll happily add more flights, though prices won’t likely be cheap.
So if both parents (SC + PR) are fully vaccinated and our 1.5 yr old baby (SC) is not, VTL would not apply. And 7 day quarantine at home would still apply.
I booked the VTL flight trying my luck, they won’t deny boarding in this worst case scenario right?
Found the answer:
Can children under the age of 12 travel on a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight as they are too young for vaccination?
As regulations specify vaccination certificates are a pre-requisite for VTL flights, children under the age of 12 who are ineligible for vaccination are unfortunately not allowed to travel on a VTL flight.
You may wish to consider travelling on a non-VTL flight. Passengers on non-VTL flights must meet the entry requirements for their travel itinerary. As regulations may change at short notice, do check the travel advisories issued by the local authorities before your trip.
Should I take the risk and keep the VTL designated return flight, hoping this will change or maybe write in for ICA?
Aiyo, so strict everything
If you’re okay leaving your unvaccinated baby behind in Germany as it will be denied boarding, sure, take the risk.
On a more serious note: You already found the answer. That’s the answer. They are creating an environment to transport vaccinated people into Singapore and they will stick to that.
As long as you’re all travelling together the 7 days SHN at home might actually be less cumbersome as it decreases the number of PCR tests to 2.
You can go with 7-day SHN option instead. Doesn’t matter if you fly on VTL or non-VTL approved flights then.