Singapore postponed the Qatar VTL along with Saudi Arabia and UAE VTL which were initially set to begin on 6 December 2021. This is because of the latest contagious Omicron variant.
UPDATE: 17 February 2022. Qatar VTL, Saudi Arabia VTL and United Arab Emirates UAE VTL are reinstated. Read more: https://mileschaser.com/2022/02/16/singapore-vtl-update-february-hong-kong-israel-philippines-no-art/
The announcement is obviously a huge setback to Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane.
Singapore initially announced the middle east VTL on 15 November 2021.
Updated List of Singapore’s VTL Countries as of 29 November 2021
- Australia 🇦🇺✔️ (From 8 November 2021 – only Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents or their immediate families), (From 21 November 2021: Singapore residents)
- Brunei 🇧🇳 ✔️
- Cambodia 🟡 (From 16 December 2021)
- Canada 🇨🇦 ✔️
- Denmark 🇩🇰 ✔️ (From 10 November 2021 – Singapore Visitor needs to undergo quarantine in Denmark)
- Fiji 🇫🇯 🟡 (From 16 December 2021)
- Finland 🟡 (From 29 November 2021)
- France 🇫🇷 ✔️
- Germany 🇩🇪 ✔️
- Hong Kong (From 25 February 2022)
- Indonesia 🇮🇩 (From 29 November 2021)
- Israel (From 25 February 2022)
- Italy 🇮🇹 ✔️
- Malaysia 🇲🇾 🟡 (From 29 November 2021)
- Netherlands 🇳🇱 ✔️ (Pre-departure COVID-19 test required starting from 13 November 2021)
- Philippines (From 25 February 2022)
- Qatar 🇶🇦 🟡 (From 25 February 2022) VTL Reinstated
- Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 (From 25 February 2022) VTL Reinstated
- South Korea 🇰🇷 ✔️
- Spain 🇪🇸 ✔️
- Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 🟡 (From 16 December 2021)
- Sweden 🇸🇪 🟡 (From 29 November 2021)
- Switzerland 🇨🇭✔️
- Thailand 🇹🇭🟡 (From 14 December 2021)
- Turkey 🟡 (From 16 December 2021)
- UAE 🇦🇪 🟡 (From 25 February 2022) VTL Reinstated
- United Kingdom (UK) 🇬🇧 ✔️
- United States (US) 🇺🇸 ✔️
Omicron Variant Disrupts Travels Around The World
Omicron is causing countries to tighten up borders all over again. In fact, we can see that Australia and United Kingdom imposed new restrictions on incoming international passengers.
Japan which relaxed their border not long ago, in fact exercised u-turn policy. We formerly predicted that Japan would open up their border soon as well. With this in mind, we would like to remind that the situation is highly volatile and health always comes first.
Contrarily, today marks the start of Malaysia VTL and Indonesia VTL. They are without a doubt the highest traffic in and out of Singapore. While both countries are actually doing really well against the virus, that is Singapore would not want to repeat their mistake.
Similarly, one of the hottest tourist destination, Thailand, recently just joined the VTL scheme.
Qatar VTL Postponed
Initially, Qatar Airways were in a good path of recovery. Singapore could connect in Qatar onwards to European countries. However, this might not be the case anymore.
Also important to realize that QSuite is off the card for the Qatar VTL Flights from Qatar to Singapore while the VTL postponed.
Saudi Arabia VTL Postponed
This news comes as a shock as Saudi Arabia is looking to host their first Formula One race at Riyadh. Those with that plan will finally have to settle with the new border measure. This means a 7 day SHN at own accomodation or hotel.
We have comprehensive guide on SHN hotels here. Be sure to look through them when you need them.
UAE VTL Postponed
Another major financial hub is at risk due to the Omicron. Their close proximity to the African continent poses a huge threat as the virus draws near.
Emirates who recently started their A380s again, might start to feel the pressure yet again.
Conclusion
All in all, this is such a step in the wrong direction. Such setbacks are the nature in the highly volatile aviation industry. One day you thought that everything will be better, while now we are encountering setbacks.
Cover Photo by Abdullah Ghatasheh from Pexels
what a sad news