(Singapore) Singapore will lift restrictions for all vaccinated travelers from next week, Prime Minister of the Southeast Asian city-state Lee Hsien Loong announced on Thursday, hailing a “major step” for the air connection platform in its coexistence strategy with COVID-19.
Posted at 12:23 p.m.
The region has been slower than Europe or North America to lift restrictions. But Indonesia also announced this week the end of quarantine for travelers, after Australia and New Zealand, while Malaysia will take the plunge in early April.
From 1er April, vaccinated adults and unvaccinated children may be allowed to enter Singapore, the gateway to many countries in Asia Pacific, without quarantine, with only a test carried out before departure.
The reopening of the country will “reconnect Singapore with the world”, the prime minister said on television.
“This will provide a much-needed boost to businesses, especially those in tourism, and help Singapore regain its position as an aviation and economic hub.”
The measures for residents of the city-state have also been relaxed, with the end of compulsory masks outside and gatherings of up to ten people authorized, against only five previously.
Singapore moved from a zero COVID-19 target to a more flexible policy last year when the vast majority of its population was vaccinated.
This approach contrasts with that of Hong Kong, an airline hub and competing financial center in Asia, where travelers must still undergo lengthy quarantines upon arrival.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Thursday defended Hong Kong’s attitude by stressing that “the policies and measures adopted by each country to combat COVID-19 differ”, and assured that the island remained an “attractive financial center. “.