Hot News
Singapore to lift virus travel curbs in ‘milestone’
Agency Report
Singapore will lift restrictions for all vaccinated travellers from next week, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday hailing it as a “major milestone” in the aviation hub’s efforts to live with Covid-19.
The city-state is the latest Asian country to ease travel restrictions in a region that has generally been more reluctant to lift barriers than Europe and North America.
A gateway for many travellers arriving in the Asia-Pacific, Singapore had already started quarantine-free travel schemes with some countries in recent months.
From April 1, fully vaccinated adults and unvaccinated children will be allowed to enter the country without quarantining, as long as they take a pre-departure test, officials said.
Lee said Singapore had reached a “major milestone” in its efforts to live with the virus.
Easing travel curbs will “reconnect Singapore with the world,” he said in a televised address.
“It will give a much-needed boost to businesses, particularly the tourism sector, and it will help Singapore reclaim its position as a business and aviation hub.”
Only travellers on a “restricted list” will face curbs in entering Singapore, although there are currently no countries on the list.
A raft of other coronavirus measures were also eased, with people in Singapore no longer required to wear masks outside, and people permitted to meet in groups of 10, up from five previously.
At the start of the pandemic, the country of 5.5 million kept Covid-19 cases low through border closures and a tough lockdown.
It has faced sizeable outbreaks since last year and, with some of the world’s highest vaccination rates, authorities have shifted to a policy of living with the virus.
The pandemic plunged Singapore into its worst-ever recession in 2020 as the trading hub closed its borders.
International visitor arrivals dropped to just 2.7 million that year from more than 19 million in 2019.
Singapore’s approach stands in contrast to rival financial hub Hong Kong, where arrivals are still required to undergo lengthy quarantines in hotels.
Other countries in the Asia-Pacific that have recently announced an easing of travel restrictions include Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
AFP
-
Metro14 hours ago
Father of 12 found dead, naked in Bayelsa brothel
-
News14 hours ago
Three suspected serials rapists targeting online victims arrested in Rivers
-
Sports14 hours ago
UCL: Borussia Dortmund secure Champions League final spot
-
Politics14 hours ago
Edo 2024: Obaseki, PDP scared, will lose, says APC group
-
Metro14 hours ago
Fortune teller arrested for impregnating client’s wife in Gombe
-
Economy14 hours ago
EFCC arrests BDC operators as naira drops to N1,416/$
-
Entertainment10 hours ago
50 Cent sues ex-girlfriend over rape, abuse accusations
-
Economy10 hours ago
CBN suspends charges on cash deposits until September 30