Singapore postpones vaccinated travel lanes with Middle Eastern countries

Singapore postpones vaccinated travel lanes with Middle Eastern countries. (Photo: https://www.straitstimes.com/)

Singapore (VNA) – Singapore has decided to defer launching vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and review border measures amid the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. 

In its statement on November 28, the Singaporean Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the move is a precautionary measure to reduce the risks of importing and spreading the Omicron variant to the country.

The deferment of the VTL to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be in place until further notice, the ministry said, adding that the details of review of border measures will be announced soon.

The postponement of VTLs with the three Middle Eastern countries came just a few days before VTL flights between Singapore and these countries start to be begin on December 6.

Previously, Singapore decided to tighten border control measures for travellers from the affected African countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Visitors with their travel history in these countries would not be allowed to enter or transit in Singapore from November 28./.

VNA