Australia and Singapore Travel Bubble Could Launch By Mid 2021

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Last Updated 3 years ago

With the pandemic having caused major disruptions to travel for longer than a year now, all interested parties – from airlines to governments – are desperately finding the best and safest way to restart international travel once more.

Negative test results, vaccines and quarantine policies have seen travel resume in some parts of the world in small amounts, but there is one more solution that could yet bear fruit – travel bubbles. Over the weekend, it emerged that Australia and Singapore were in talks to create a travel bubble between the two countries – here’s more about that, plus a look at other travel bubbles and a reminder of Australia and Singapore’s entry requirements.

Australia-Singapore Travel Bubble – What Travelers Should Know

Travel bubbles were touted at the start of the pandemic as a way for travelers to move freely between two countries with a travel bubble agreement in place. Also often referred to as a travel corridor, they often make travel between the two countries easier by opening borders or removing the need to quarantine upon arrival.

Several countries have created travel bubbles. Singapore already has arrangements for travel of some sort between countries such as New Zealand, Taiwan and Japan, and it looks as though Australia is going to be the latest country to create such a partnership with the country.

Ministers from both the Australian and Singaporean governments have been working towards creating a travel bubble between the two countries. Following the success of the Trans-Tasman bubble – a travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia – it was revealed that Singaporean authorities were interested in joining and expanding the bubble.

The route is a popular one, with almost 6 million passengers flying between Australia and Singapore in 2019.

How Will It Affect Travelers From Other Countries?

Not only could the new travel bubble allow travelers from Australia and Singapore to freely travel between the two countries, it could also result in wider travel from other nations. According to a report, the travel bubble could allow travelers from “third countries” – countries not directly involved in the bubble – to enter Australia following a two-week period in Singapore, or vice versa. As already mentioned, Singapore has travel agreements in place with various countries already, all of which would be able to travel to Australia via two weeks in Singapore.

When Will It Happen?

In order for the travel bubble to happen, Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Dan Tehan said that both countries must agree on a digital coronavirus vaccination travel passport, and on how it will be deployed and managed. On a specific time frame, Tehan stated he was “optimistic that we might be able to get something up and running by the middle of the year.”

Australia and Singapore’s Entry Requirements – Information For Travelers

Australia’s borders have been extremely restricted for months. At present, the only people able to enter the country are:

• Australian citizens
• residents
• immediate family members
• travelers who have been in New Zealand for the previous 14 days

Singapore also has extremely tough entry requirements in operation. Singaporean citizens and permanent residents may enter, along with short term tourist visits from Australia, Brunei, Mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan and Vietnam through the Air Travel Pass scheme. These passengers are tested upon arrival, and must secure accommodation whilst waiting for their test results. Once it returns negative, they may leave.

Read more:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

Latin America Countries Reopening For Tourism

Country-by-Country Guide of all Entry Requirements

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