Singapore is launching a one-way travel corridor with Taiwan.
To be eligible for a quarantine-exempt Air Travel Pass, travellers must have remained in Taiwan for 14 consecutive days prior to entry into Singapore. In addition, they must take nonstop flights and undergo a PCR test upon arrival, according to a government website.
The unilateral arrangement between Singapore and Taiwan is reminiscent of the one-way Trans-Tasman bubble created earlier this year.
The sticking point to a two-way corridor lies with Australia, which has opted for a higher-tolerance suppression strategy for Covid-19 cases, whereas neighbour New Zealand has opted for an elimination strategy, according to The Guardian.
Covid-19 cases have virtually been eradicated in New Zealand and Taiwan. However, Australia and Singapore both experienced community transmission in the past few months, which is a cause for concern for zero-tolerance jurisdictions such as New Zealand and Taiwan.
In a social media post, Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung said:
“[Taiwan] has been maintaining close to zero infection rates and strong control measures, so the risk of importation is low. They will be able to enter Singapore from 18 Dec without [quarantine].
“We have earlier opened to Australia, Brunei, Mainland China, New Zealand and Vietnam. Some 4,000 general travellers have entered Singapore since we started unilateral opening in September, and all had tested negative for Covid-19.
“Taiwan has recently classified Singapore as a low risk country and reduced the quarantine for essential and business travellers from Singapore to five days.”
