Singapore to drop major restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors in April
SHIOK (noun); native slang used in Singapore to express pleasure, happiness and satisfaction.
Forgive us for the language lesson, but there seemed no more fitting word to mark the news that from April 1, Singapore is to drop many of its COVID-19 travel restrictions, including quarantine and arrival tests for fully vaccinated visitors.
The only remaining restriction left in place for the fully vaccinated will be a predeparture test taken within two days of flying to Singapore, though the Ministry of Health suggested this may also be revised within "the coming weeks."
Other restrictions to be eased include lifting the ban on live music performances, increasing the limit on group gatherings from five to 10 people, and increasing the capacity limits on large events from March 29. Meanwhile, Singaporean residents currently working from home will also be asked to return to the office.
Related: We boarded one of the first British Airways ‘maskless’ flights: It didn’t go as planned
These developments are sure to be welcomed by many travelers who had been looking for a getaway to the city-state, but have been put off by strict COVID-19 restrictions, whereby inbound passengers still need to test after arrival and self-isolate until a negative test is returned.
Presently only travelers from some countries under the Vaccinated Travel Lanes program — which includes the U.S. — are able to avoid quarantine regulations to gain entry to Singapore, but from next month, the easing of rules will be universally applied to all.
“[Double-jabbed travelers] will not need to apply for entry approvals or take designated VTL transport,” read a statement from Singapore’s Health Ministry, which declared fully vaccinated visitors and non-fully vaccinated children age 12 or under can breeze through arrivals beginning next month.
“We will continue to monitor the local and global COVID-19 situations and consider removing the [predeparture testing] requirement in the coming weeks," the statement read.
The changes will see the retirement of the complicated Vaccinated Travel Lanes system. Under the current requirements visitors to Singapore need to have remained in a VTL country for seven days (reduced from 14 days last month) prior to their arrival.
According to the SIA Group, which owns Singapore Airlines and budget carrier Scoot, travelers currently booked on a VTL flight on or after April 1 may still travel as planned without changes to their booking. Passengers will also be able to transit through Singapore on almost all Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights regardless of their vaccination status from this date -- provided that they meet the entry requirements of their final destination.
“The SIA Group welcomes the latest measures to simplify travel protocols for entry into Singapore. This supports the goal of restoring Singapore’s position as a leading tourist destination and premier air hub," said an SIA spokesperson. "We look forward to welcoming our customers on board our flights, where they will enjoy our warm hospitality and world-class products and services. The SIA Group will continue to closely monitor travel demand, and increase our capacity and services accordingly.”
The news comes as the Singaporean government's attitudes toward the pandemic are softening across all areas. In a speech this week, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the city-state will not only “drastically streamline” COVID-19 rules for travel but also ease the public requirement to wear masks outdoors.
Related: Is it time to rethink COVID-19 travel mandates in the US?
“Earlier, we were cautious because of uncertainty over omicron’s impact,” the prime minister stated. “Now the omicron situation is well under control. Nearly all our cases are domestic, originating within the community. Arrivals from abroad constitute only a very small proportion of cases. We can therefore safely open up our borders.”
While Europe -- including the United Kingdom -- has seemingly moved toward post-pandemic travel at lightning speed of late, for many Asian countries, progress has been slower. However, this does appear to be changing.
Related: Singapore is reopening: Here’s how to get there using points and miles
Just this Monday, Indonesia eased quarantine requirements across the entire country for visitors who can produce a negative PCR test, while earlier this month South Korea and Malaysia also declared an end to quarantine for vaccinated arrivals beginning April 1.
That said, there is no doubt some of the hard-line approaches to border control from these countries have been effective. Last month, Singapore itself reported that it had prevented over 8,000 COVID-19 deaths in the last five months of 2021, keeping its COVID-19 death rate to 15.7 deaths per 100,000 of the population.
But it’s not only tourism that will benefit from the general easing of domestic COVID-19 guidelines. Singapore is one of the world’s most important travel hubs, so it's a real boon for business travelers as well.
Better brush up on your Malay ...
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.