Loosening Covid-19 testing, traveling to Singapore and Thailand is easier

The Straits Times newspaper on April 22 reported that travelers entering Singapore will not need to be tested for Covid-19 from April 26 if they are fully vaccinated.

This helps travelers traveling by air and sea save on testing costs and avoid the hassle of having to schedule a test before departing for Singapore.

The above rule does not apply to travelers 13 years of age and older who have not been fully vaccinated. These people will still have to be tested for Covid-19 within 2 days before departure to Singapore, are isolated for 7 days at their residence and PCR tested before the end of isolation.

Visitors entering Singapore will not need to be tested for Covid-19 from April 26, if they are fully vaccinated. Photo: The Straits Times

The previous regulation to remove Covid-19 testing was applied to visitors entering Singapore by land.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the above regulation on April 22. The MOH also said that from May 1, owners in the construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing sectors who are not Malaysian will not need approval to enter Singapore. However, they have to go through a process that includes medical check-ups, vaccination verification… which can take up to 4 days.

Currently, air and sea travelers entering Singapore need to undergo PCR testing or rapid antigen testing prior to their trip.

Tourists at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport last week. Photo: The Bangkok Post

Similarly, Thailand is also exempting Covid-19 testing for fully vaccinated tourists from May 1. The Bangkok Post newspaper quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on April 22 as saying this was to stimulate tourism and the economy.

“Tourism is recovering and antigen testing will be more convenient and faster for travelers. Many countries are easing travel restrictions and our country is significantly dependent on tourism to support the economy. economy” – Prayut said after chairing a meeting of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

For unvaccinated travelers, they need to present a negative PCR test result no later than 72 hours before entering Thailand, then undergo a 5-day quarantine and have a PCR test again on the fourth day of isolation. or Thursday.