Singapore relaxes border restrictions for tourists

Travellers from New Zealand and Brunei will be tested on entry but will not have to serve a stay-home notice.

Singapore.- As of September 1, visitors entering Singapore Brunei or New Zealand, having spent at least 14 days in those countries, will not have to serve a stay-home notice. They will be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival.

Brunei and New Zealand were chosen since they are small countries that have been largely successful in controlling the outbreak.

Singapore has also updated its travel advisory for people travelling to these the countries, allowing general travel, including students, depending on entry requirements imposed by the respective governments.

Co-chair of the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force, Lawrence Wong, said during a press conference that the arrangements with Brunei and New Zealand are not reciprocal but that discussions with both countries are ongoing. The country has negotiated a mutual agreement with Malaysia.

Singapore has also cut quarantine requirements from 14 to seven days for travellers from Australia – excluding Victoria – China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Transport minister Ong Ye Kung said the move aims to strike a balance between controlling the spread of the virus and reviving air travel, a key driver for the trade and tourism-reliant economy.

He said to reporters: “Remember, as a small open economy, to survive we’ve got to keep our borders open. To earn a living, [we need to] have connections with the world and to thrive and to prosper, we must be an aviation hub.”