Making plans to return to Singapore? If you have already received the COVID-19 vaccination overseas, it is now possible to update your immunisation records in the national registry. This applies to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna vaccines. Those listed on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing will also be counted, which includes the AstraZeneca and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines.

Even with your vaccination settled, travelling during a pandemic can be fraught with its own challenges. Whether you are flying back to Singapore yourself or bringing along your loved ones, it’s always better to be safe than sorry during this period. The best thing you can do to ensure everyone’s safety is to first be aware of what needs to be done for a smooth journey ahead. 

Top 4 Travel Tips to Fly Back Safely to Singapore

1. Have all the necessary documents

For starters, Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents returning from all countries/regions may return to Singapore without seeking entry approval. Take note that based on your travel history 21 days before arriving in Singapore, there may be some prevailing travel health control measures to follow through. 

On the other hand, if you are in Singapore for a short period of time, you will have to apply for Entry Approval under the international SafeTravel lanes. Depending on the country you are coming from, take into account the Air Travel Pass and Reciprocal Green Lane that you may use. Learn more here.  

Combined with your respective SafeTravel pass, do apply for a valid Singapore entry visa in advance to seek entry into the country. This is mandatory as part of entry requirements. However, if you already hold a valid visa that was suspended due to COVID-19, the good news is you won’t have to re-apply as long as it remains valid.  

2. Familiarise yourself with the airport checks

Regardless of your vaccination status, you will be expected to take the COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test before departure and upon arrival in Singapore. The requirement for the Antigen Rapid Test may vary. 

It is also compulsory to serve the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at either your place of residence or SHN Dedicated Facility for a stipulated period of time. As you prepare for your flight to Singapore, don’t forget to download the TraceTogether app beforehand as that is mandatory to use here. To protect the people around you and arrive well, it is crucial to do your research beforehand and stay up-to-date on the travel requirements.

3. Maintain everyday precautions 

With that done and dusted, the next thing you should make sure of is to pack sufficient masks in your carry-on bag. From luggage drop-off to boarding, maintain social distancing and wash your hands thoroughly whenever you can. Travel-sized hand sanitisers and disinfecting wipes are also some of the essentials you should have to protect yourself throughout your trip. The truth is, you never know where the COVID-19 virus might find its way into your travels. As such, having these items on-hand at all times can also be helpful to reduce chances of exposure to the virus.

4. Get travel insurance coverage

Even with more to take note of during this period, getting travel insurance is still of utmost importance to give you less to worry about. Should something unexpected happens – whether it’s luggage loss, interruption due to sickness or injury and trip cancellation -, the right travel insurance plan is designed to take care of these issues. There are many situations that can happen that may render you unable to continue your journey and without coverage, you may not be fully prepared for the unforeseen expenses. 

Starting with a single trip travel insurance at Expat Insurance, you can enjoy a worry-free trip with the necessary coverage you need when coming back to Singapore. On the other hand, if your work requires you to travel to other countries, a comprehensive annual travel insurance policy will be more suitable to protect you wherever you go. This can be useful for both locals and expatriates to work abroad at ease.

For more information, get in touch with our team at Expat Insurance today to find out how we can help ensure a safe trip back to Singapore.