7 Post-COVID travel tips you need to know

Rejoice! On 1 April 2022, Singapore finally reopened its borders to fully-vaccinated travellers from all over the world. This means that fully-vaccinated visitors above the age of 12 are once again welcome to enter Singapore! And get this– no more quarantine protocols. It really does look like the pandemic is coming to an end. The new procedure was announced under the new Singapore Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF).

But hold up: before you go packing your bags, take note that a pre-departure test (taken within 2 days) is still required. The stay-home notice and antigen rapid test upon arrival, however, you can say sayonara to.

Singapore’s new post-covid travel announcement is really making the country accessible to everyone. If you are age 13 and above and not fully vaccinated, you only need to take a pre-departure test 2 days before your flight and follow a 7-day stay-at-home requirement followed by a PCR test.

Looks like the world is going to start flocking into Singapore real soon!

DEMAND FOR PASSPORT RENEWAL IS SOARING

Naturally, with more people visiting the country, Singaporeans will be itching to travel out as well. Cue ‘revenge travel’, a term that gained popularity in 2021 when tourists all around the world came in droves to make up for all that lost time stuck in quarantine. Back home, following the new VTF statement, Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) received an influx of passport applications from locals. According to ICA, the number of applications has tripled compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of this, there are over 1 million passports reported to be expired or expiring soon. After a long pandemic, the post-COVID travel feels are very real.

Singaporeans who want to renew their passports are being advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. (OP is still waiting for theirs, btw.) Passport renewals will take approximately 1 month and cost S$70 for the whole process. Requests can be sent through the ICA e-service portal website and the outcome notification will be sent by post or e-mail.

POST-COVID TRAVEL TIPS FOR SINGAPOREANS

Loosened travel restrictions in Singapore doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be a little careful with our next trip. The pandemic is on its way out but it’s not fully out the door just yet. Here are 6 things to pay attention to while preparing for a trip:

1. Get our International Roaming Plan!

Before you take off make sure you have our international roaming plans you’ll always be able to be connected and check your schedule, the fancy restaurants, and discover your adventures hassle-free!

2. Check Restrictions in Your Destination Country

Some places may still be fighting the emerging COVID-19 variant. You should check for additional measures or constraints present at your destination. Search for the country’s latest news on tourism or you can check Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for an official announcement.

Don’t forget to look into the list of countries that are registered as restricted by Singapore’s Ministry of Health. According to Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), there are more than 20 countries that are considered safe for your next trip or vacation. These countries include Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Maldives, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

3. Pay Attention to Your Vaccines List

Make sure that your vaccine record is in-line with Vaccines Eligible with WHO Prequalification and the local regulation in your destination country. Several countries not only require their visitors to get a certain level and type of COVID-19 vaccines, but also other vaccines such as Hepatitis A.

4. Keep Doing Healthy Protocols

Here’s the thing about post-covid travel: you never know what will happen tomorrow. A new variant of COVID-19 could pop out of nowhere and an infection might happen in a place you have never thought possible. Keep practicing health protocols while traveling such as wearing a mask, practicing self-distance, eating healthy food, and washing your hands frequently. Keeping your body’s immunity up will help you have a hassle-free travel experience. If you feel unwell, reconsider your trip. it’s better to be safe than sorry.

5. Look for a Less-Crowded Getaway

The infection-rate is decreasing in most places, but we’re not fully in the clear just yet. Taking the roads less traveled might be a wise decision for your next trip. Avoid crowded markets, concerts, or popular local attractions that may have many people in one place at the same time. Look for a certified tourism agent that implements COVID-19 health protocols to prevent further outbreaks.

There are many outdoor destinations that you could choose from: beaches, lagoons, mountains, and rivers. These nature-rich spots are not only healthy for your body but also your mind.

6. Avoid Booking Ahead of Time

The pandemic is still quite unpredictable, so it’s best to avoid booking things too ahead of time. Imagine making all these preparations then having to cancel everything that you have prepared– from flights and hotels to tours–after receiving news that your destination country is closing its borders. There are some things that are out of our control and right now, it might not be the best idea to book too many things way ahead of time.

Cheap flights and discount hotel offers are attractive, but it’s better to keep everything simple and safe during this time.

7. Opt for Something Near or Domestic

While we missed it, traveling is not yet what it used to be and it’s not easy to brave hours of travel and transfers after a pandemic. When in doubt, you can always plan a local trip like Sentosa Island, or visit neighbouring countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Thailand. It’s easier to arrange and accomplish an itinerary for places closer to home.

You can also visit your family and friends. Bring them along and enjoy quality time together. When there are people that you love and care about, it doesn’t matter where you go, what matters are the memories that you will cherish together forever.