Singapore to ease quarantine rules for travel with China

Singapore and China agreed to ease quarantine requirements for business and official travelers, as the countries look to revive essential economic activities disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

For inbound travel to Singapore, travelers sponsored by government agencies may submit applications through their respective sponsors from June 8, according to a joint statement by the ministries of trade and industry and foreign affairs on Wednesday. Applications for company-sponsored travelers will be accepted at a later phase.

The initial agreement applies to travel between Singapore and the Chinese cities and provinces of Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Here are the details of how essential travel arrangements between Singapore and China would take shape:

Inbound travelers from China are required to have letter of sponsorship from company or government agency in Singapore.With the letter, travelers can apply for a safe travel pass, then a visa if needed.

Travelers need to do a polymerase chain reaction test within 48 hours of departure, then another test upon arrival, at their own cost.

Travelers must remain in isolation for one to two days until the test result is known.

The host company or government agency shall ensure that the travelers to Singapore use the TraceTogether app for the duration of their stay.

Travelers from Singapore to China will only be allowed to travel outside the six fast lane regions after staying in those regions for 14 days.

The travelers may not use most public transport.