Singapore defers VTL with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE amid fears of Omicron variant

SINGAPORE will defer the launch of Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) until further notice, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday (Nov 28) night.

This is to reduce the risk of importing and spreading Omicron (B1.1.529), a potentially more contagious variant of the Covid-19 virus. On Nov 26, the World Health Organisation (WHO) flagged Omicron as a variant of concern.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are transport nodes in proximity to countries hit by Omicron, MOH noted. The affected countries are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The ministry will provide more details on the commencement of the VTLs at a later date.

Singapore had previously announced that it is launching VTLs with the 3 Middle Eastern countries from Dec 6, with applications for the Vaccinated Travel Pass for short-term visitors and long-term pass holders opening on Nov 29.

The country is currently reviewing its border measures, and will announce more details soon.

"As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures in tandem with our roadmap to becoming a Covid resilient nation," MOH said.

Globally, scientific investigations are still ongoing on whether the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant, and if it is more likely to lead to severe illness. Singapore has not detected any cases of this variant to date.