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01-12-2021, 09:27 AM
VTL scheme will not be expanded; easing of social measures will also be paused
All air travellers entering Singapore will be subject to more stringent testing, as border measures are tightened to buy time to better understand the new Covid-19 Omicron variant.
The stricter rules, including additional supervised Covid-19 tests for vaccinated travel lane (VTL) travellers, take effect from 11.59pm tomorrow.
Borders will remain open, but the quarantine-free travel scheme will not be expanded for the moment. The relaxation of social measures will also be paused.
These new steps will minimise the risk of importing the variant, though it is just a matter of time before it arrives here, said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong yesterday.
The government will also enhance testing protocols to detect Omicron cases and adopt stricter procedures for suspected cases.
Mr Gan, who co-chairs the multi-ministry Covid-19 task force, said yesterday: "We must be prepared to further adjust our measures, if necessary, to ensure the situation remains under control before we continue on our reopening journey."
Part of an article found in today's The New Paper
All air travellers entering Singapore will be subject to more stringent testing, as border measures are tightened to buy time to better understand the new Covid-19 Omicron variant.
The stricter rules, including additional supervised Covid-19 tests for vaccinated travel lane (VTL) travellers, take effect from 11.59pm tomorrow.
Borders will remain open, but the quarantine-free travel scheme will not be expanded for the moment. The relaxation of social measures will also be paused.
These new steps will minimise the risk of importing the variant, though it is just a matter of time before it arrives here, said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong yesterday.
The government will also enhance testing protocols to detect Omicron cases and adopt stricter procedures for suspected cases.
Mr Gan, who co-chairs the multi-ministry Covid-19 task force, said yesterday: "We must be prepared to further adjust our measures, if necessary, to ensure the situation remains under control before we continue on our reopening journey."
Part of an article found in today's The New Paper
