Singapore opens borders to mainland China and Australian visitors from Nov 6

SINGAPORE will open its borders to visitors from mainland China and Australia's state of Victoria from Nov 6. In addition, the Republic will allow residents in the city-state to travel to mainland China and all of Australia.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in an announcement on Thursday evening that visitors travelling from mainland China and Victoria State (Australia) can start applying from Oct 30 noon (Singapore time) for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into the city-state on or after Nov 6.

There are a few conditions though. Applicants must have remained in either mainland China or Australia in the last 14 consecutive days prior to their entry. They will undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at the airport. If the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore, without a need to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

"We will also update the travel advisory to allow travel to mainland China and all of Australia. Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements imposed by these countries and take the necessary precautionary measures, " said CAAS.

Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from mainland China and Victoria State (Australia) from Nov 6 midnight onwards will similarly undergo a PCR test upon arrival, and if the result is negative, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore, without a need to serve SHN.

Both mainland China and Victoria state have comprehensive public health surveillance systems and displayed successful control over the spread of the virus. Over the past 28 days, both had a virus local incidence rate of 0.00009 and 0.099 per 100,000 respectively. The risk of importation from these places is "low", noted CAAS.

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Visitors must be responsible for their medical bills related to the coronavirus while in Singapore. These include costs for the tests and isolation imposed on visitors should they be suspected of being infected with the pathogen, as well as medical treatment.

This latest initiative follows the earlier lifting of border restrictions for visitors from Australia (excluding Victoria state), Brunei, New Zealand and Vietnam. As at Oct 29 noon, Singapore has approved 1,375 applications from these places, and received 602 visitors. None of the visitors tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

To expedite taking the PCR test at the airport, all passengers travelling from these approved countries are advised to register and pre-pay for their post-arrival PCR test prior to departing for Singapore at https://safetravel.changiairport.com