Azlan Othman
Visitors from Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand who successfully apply to go to Singapore will be required to use the TraceTogether app at all times while in the republic. They must also retain the app in their phone for 14 consecutive days after leaving Singapore, Straits Times reported yesterday.
This is to facilitate contact tracing should they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Singapore and within two weeks of their departure. Should they test positive during the period, they will be required to upload data stored on the app to the Singapore’s Ministry of Health.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) yesterday spelt out the conditions for travel to the republic, following the announcement of Singapore’s decision to unilaterally open up its borders to Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand last Friday.
However, during a press conference updating on the COVID-19 situation in Brunei Darussalam yesterday, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said Brunei Darussalam is not relaxing the border yet to leisure visitors. A special task force is looking into the situation.
CAAS said, instead of having to serve a quarantine period, visitors from the two countries will only need a COVID-19 test upon arrival. However, they will have to pay their own medical bills should they require treatment for the coronavirus while in Singapore.
CAAS said the travel conditions will help to contribute to the “revival of the Singapore air hub in a safe way while minimising risks to public health”.
Interested visitors from New Zealand and Brunei can apply for an air travel pass (ATP) online from noon on September 1 for entry into Singapore on/or after September 8. The application must be done between seven and 30 calendar days prior to their intended date of entry into Singapore.
CAAS said this pass will let the authorities contact interested visitors should there be any changes to Singapore’s health and border measures. It will also help to manage the number of incoming visitors.
First, they must have spent the last 14 days in Brunei or New Zealand before flying to Singapore on direct flights without transit.
In Singapore, they will also have to take private transportation, taxi or private-hire car from the airport to a declared place of accommodation after undergoing the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test at the airport.
They will have to remain isolated at the accommodation until the test result is out within 48 hours. Should they test negative, the visitors will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.
To facilitate the process, visitors are strongly encouraged to pre-book and pay the SGD300 fee for their COVID-19 test online, and refer to the Singapore Hotel Association website for the list of hotels where accommodation is available.
CAAS added that a key priority is still the safety and well-being of passengers, air crew and airport staff, and public health in Singapore.
It added, “Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevant authorities in Singapore may introduce new measures or requirements as and when necessary to safeguard public health.
“This may result in changes to the conditions or cancellation of the ATP at short notice. Applicants will be notified of any such changes or cancellation of their ATP.”