Singapore will start a new travel lane for "business, official and high economic value travelers” that will allow people to come to the city-state without quarantine for short-term stays and reside in a dedicated "bubble” facility near the airport.
The travel lane, announced by Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Tuesday, builds on Singapore’s efforts to reopen its borders in a controlled manner. The Southeast Asian nation, which has largely beaten back the coronavirus, announced Monday that it will progress to the third and final phase of its national COVID-19 response strategy on Dec. 28.
Singapore’s small and open economy is largely dependent upon the tourist and service sectors for growth. To that end, it’s been trying to reopen its borders by establishing green lanes and special travel arrangements with countries where the virus is also under control, like New Zealand and Australia.