Singapore to open borders to visitors from Taiwan from Dec 18

Border restrictions for visitors from Taiwan will be lifted from Dec 18, said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) on Friday (Dec 11).

In a press release, the CAAS said that travellers can apply for a single-entry Air Travel Pass (ATP) to enter Singapore from next Friday immediately. They must be in Taiwan for 14 consecutive days before departure.

Upon arrival, visitors will have to undergo a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. They will only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore without serving a stay-home notice (SHN) if their results return negative.

As part of contact tracing purposes, travellers must download and register for the TraceTogether app on their mobile devices before entering Singapore and keep it activated during their stay.

They must not delete the app for 14 consecutive days after leaving Singapore and will be responsible for any medical bills related to COVID-19 while here. 

Similarly, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from Taiwan will undergo a PCR test upon arrival, in lieu of a seven-day SHN. 

CAAS added it will update the travel advisory to allow travel to Taiwan and advised travellers from Singapore to check entry requirements imposed by Taiwan.

Earlier this year, border restrictions were lifted for travellers from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, New Zealand and Vietnam.

In a Facebook post today, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said that this is “another step” in opening Singapore’s borders.  

“Taiwan has recently classified Singapore as a low risk country and reduced the quarantine for essential and business travellers from Singapore to five days,” he said.

“With the festive period, I hope the reopening arrangements will be useful for families and loved ones to reunite.”