Singapore to reopen borders safely using four-pronged approach: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE will reopen its borders safely using a four-pronged approach, even as an immediate recovery of the aviation sector this year is not in sight, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Friday.

He noted that it is not realistic to expect a V-shaped recovery in the aviation sector this year, given how fluid the pandemic situation is. Still, as governments realise they cannot perpetually shut their borders, and with Covid-19 vaccination being rolled out, Mr Ong expects some reopening of borders, as well as some recovery this year.

Speaking in Parliament during his ministry's Committee of Supply debate, he said: "Our mission this year is not so much to force a sharp recovery, but to adapt to a new normal, to reopen safely, and build up confidence and belief that Changi Airport will still be an international air hub post-Covid."

And the government views the removal of quarantine measures and stay-home notice - which are still in place - as key to reviving air travel.

Therefore, it will instead use these four methods - testing travellers, bubble-wrapping, reopening borders to travellers from places that have controlled the virus, as well as less onerous requirements for vaccinated inbound travellers that may even see the stay-home notice waived.

The city-state, noted Mr Ong, has the testing capacity of over 60,000 tests a day, while bubble-wrapping to keep travellers to a tight itinerary in restricted premises and away from the community is available with the Connect@Changi facility.

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Singapore has reopened its border unilaterally to places including Australia, Brunei and China, and also has an agreement with Hong Kong to bilaterally open borders under the Air Travel Bubble (ATB).

"I see ATBs playing a key role in safe opening this year. Because as vaccinations bring down infections across the world, more countries will be prepared to forge ATBs," the minister commented.

Vaccinations, he noted, could be a game-changer, and the restrictions placed on travellers who have been vaccinated might be relaxed if there is data to show that they are safe to the community.

"It will require a system of certification, like the yellow booklet some of us have (of) records of vaccinations against malaria and yellow fever. These discussions are happening bilaterally, and also at international platforms like the International Civil Aviation Organization, and (for) Singapore, we have been active in these discussions."