Singapore which has detected a rise in Omicron cases has taken preemptive measures by stopping all new bus and air ticket sales between the two countries under the Vaccinated Travel Lane with effect from Dec 23 till Jan 20, 2022. This was issued by the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry.
However, it added that all travellers who already hold a ticket on a VTL bus can continue to travel under land VTL. The ministry said those who were not Singapore Citizens nor Singapore Permanent Residents could also continue to apply for their Vaccinated Travel Pass if they have not done so its official web portal.
“We will also temporarily reduce the capacity and ticket sales, for travel via land VTL from Jan 21, 2022 onwards by half or equivalent of 24 bus rides per day one way. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust the land VTL capacity, taking into account the public health situation in both countries and globally,” said MTI.
The Omicron Covid 19 variant has been tearing across the globe since a month ago, causing much mayhem to the reopening process for many of the nations. Europe is already on high alert with the first lockdown initiated by the Netherlands.
Singapore has been seeing a rise in cases with a new cluster detected from a gym in the city, Malaysia is also no stranger to the strain with 11 cases been reported thus far.
MTI advised for those entering the state via the land VTL to continue with SOP including an on-arrival supervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART), as well as the seven-day ART protocol.
“Travellers should also exercise personal responsibility, and minimise social interactions, refrain from high-risk mask-off activities and avoid large gatherings and crowded places for seven days from arrival, even if they have a negative daily ART result,” it stated.
