Unvaccinated kids can enter Singapore via VTL scheme

STARTING Oct 19, children aged 12 and below who are not vaccinated will be allowed to travel under the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) from VTL countries into Singapore, if they are accompanied by a VTL traveller.

These children will not need to serve quarantine, like the other travellers under the arrangement. With the exception of those aged 2 and below, children are only required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

The child's age will be based on the calendar year, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in a press statement on Monday (Oct 11). For example, a child born in or after 2009 can enter the Republic under the VTL in 2021.

Children who will qualify for travel under the scheme, without having to show proof of vaccination, include short-term visitors, long-term pass holders, Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

They must be accompanied by a traveller who meets all VTL requirements for entry into Singapore. The child does not need to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass to enter the city-state under the arrangement.

To safeguard public health, the child must adhere to all other VTL requirements, with regard to their travel history, taking only designated VTL flights, and Covid-19 testing.

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From Oct 19, the VTL countries will comprise Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK and the US. The list will also include South Korea from Nov 15.

When the scheme was first launched on Sep 8 for Brunei and Germany for vaccinated travellers, unvaccinated persons were not allowed to enter Singapore.

"The latest change will facilitate family travel while still safeguarding public health," CAAS noted, adding that the move was considered in consultation with the Ministry of Health.

Han Kok Juan, CAAS director-general, said there has been positive public feedback on the VTL and its extension, announced last Friday and over the weekend, and some parents suggested also allowing their children to travel under the VTL.

"There is some public health risk, but it can be mitigated with the other safeguards. We urge parents to exercise extra care and caution when travelling with their unvaccinated child," Han said.

CAAS advised travellers to check the prevailing entry requirements in the countries they are travelling to. These may include any restrictions on their age and vaccination status.

As at Monday (Oct 11), Brunei does not allow general travel into the country. And while South Korea will allow general travel into the country from Nov 15, that does not include children who do not qualify for vaccination or persons who are medically unfit to be vaccinated, CAAS noted.

READ MORE:

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