Singapore is exploring ways to safely open its borders after the coronavirus outbreak led to record losses at the nation’s flag carrier and decimated traffic at Changi Airport.

A multiministry taskforce is studying how Singapore could let in more travellers and reviewing proposals by stakeholders and the public, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament on Tuesday. The city-state will accept visitors as long as they agree to testing and tracing, he said.

“The message we want to send to the world is this – Singapore has started to re-open its borders,” Ong said. “What is at stake is not just hundreds of thousands of jobs, but our status as an air hub, Singapore’s relevance to the world, our economic survival, and in turn, the ability to determine our own future.”

Singapore has pledged about $100 billion in stimulus measures to fight the effects of the pandemic, including wage subsidies and digital-transformation initiatives. Visitor numbers at Changi, once Asia’s third-busiest airport for international flights, has slumped to the lowest since it was built in 1981 and it is now handling only 1.5% of pre-Covid passenger traffic.

Among measures to make travel easier, Singapore could replace its 14-day quarantine requirement upon arrival with stricter and repeated testing and close tracking, Ong said.

Changi, which currently has the capability to swab as many as 10,000 passengers a day, will add a dedicated testing laboratory in the next few months, he said.

Singapore has eased border restrictions for those travelling from New Zealand and Brunei, testing such passengers at the airport but allowing them to forgo quarantine. Travellers from Australia and Vietnam will be allowed similar access starting Thursday. Singapore has also agreed with China, South Korea, Japan and other countries to allow visitors for business and official purposes.

Singapore is exploring ways to safely open its borders, says transport minister Ong

Singapore 'acutely aware' of global competition to be AI hub, plans to triple AI talent pool to 15,000

MSCI boss warns of climate risks

Keppel to acquire 50% stake in European asset manager Aermont Capital for up to $517 mil

Local banks 'resilient' in 2023, but MAS warns of deteriorating asset quality, climate transition risks

The new kings and queens of content

UOB Kay Hian and CGS-CIMB analysts stay put on IHH Healthcare

CGS-CIMB reiterates Boustead Singapore at 'add' and $1.40

Citi lowers FLCT's TP to $1.24, cuts FY2024 and FY2025 DPU estimates by 8.4%

How to reduce and manage cyber risks during M&As

Singapore is exploring ways to safely open its borders, says transport minister Ong

Related News

Highlights

Singapore 'acutely aware' of global competition to be AI hub, plans to triple AI talent pool to 15,000

Related News

Medical supplies firm Pasture Holdings aims to raise $5 million via all-placement IPO

BioNTech beats estimates as vaccine maker pursues more diseases

Covid-19 global health emergency is over after three years: WHO