Singapore will soon be reopening its borders to travelers from Brunei, Hong Kong, Germany, and Macao. Officials said travelers from these countries should soon be able to enter the country without having to quarantine.
According to the country's transport ministry, travelers from the aforementioned countries can now start to apply for entry. Singapore plans to permit entry of the first batch of travelers from Hong Kong and Macao as soon as Aug. 26.
Vaccinated travelers from Germany and Brunei will then be allowed entry into the country by early September. Singapore officials said if an agreement is reached, Singaporeans can also travel to those countries without the need to quarantine.
"As an open and small economy, our connectivity with the rest of the world is essential, if not existential. That is why we need to start reopening," Singapore's to Transport Minister S. Iswaran said.
As of today, Singapore has established travel bubbles with Taiwan, New Zealand, and some parts of mainland China. The country recently closed its borders to Vietnamese and Australian travelers due to the recent wave of new COVID-19 infections in those countries.
Hong Kong and Macao
Travelers from Hong Kong and Macao can now apply for entry into Singapore, regardless of their vaccination status. Applicants must have stayed in Hong Kong or Macao for 21 consecutive days before they are approved. All travelers will still need to submit themselves to a COVID-19 test upon arrival and isolate until a negative result returns. Those with negative results will be free to go, while those with a positive result will need to be quarantined.
Germany and Brunei
Only fully vaccinated travelers from Germany and Brunei will be allowed to travel to Singapore without the need for quarantine. The protocol for travelers from both countries is much more stringent when compared to those from Hong Kong and Macao. All travelers will have to subject themselves to four COVID-19 tests - one test two days before departure, another upon arrival, another on day three, and the last during day seven.
When Singapore's travel bubble with Germany opens in September, it will be the first time Singaporeans will be able to travel to any European country for leisure without the need for quarantine.
