Singapore’s Saliva Testing for Travelers: A Quick Look!
Ready to jet off but worried about the dreaded nasal swab? Singapore’s latest travel trick is to ditch the throat-invading test and use your own saliva instead. It’s apparently the new “kid-friendly” and “senior-safe” pre‑departure Covid‑19 check that’s catching on!
Why Saliva? Less Pain, More Sensitivity
Unlike the classic “nasal swab” from your nose to your throat, saliva tests let you just spit into a funnel. No awkward feeling, no sticky mouth coating. In a recent study of 200 migrant workers in Singapore, saliva proved to be more fine-tuned at catching those with asymptomatic or mild infections.
Who’s Using It? From Families to Flights
Lucence, the local biomedical startup, has teamed up with clinics and telemedicine companies. Families with kids and grandparents—ever so wary of swabs—have become a key audience since the test got approved on Dec 2.
How It Works: From Funnel to Lab
- Collect about 0.5 ml of saliva in a handy funnel connected to a tube.
- Add a stabilisation fluid that locks in the virus’s genetic material at room temperature for up to a week.
- The sample gets shipped to Lucence for analysis.
Lucence’s kit, called Safer‑Clinic, is officially a medical device — registered with the Health Sciences Authority in September last year.
Where to Get It: Clinics, Telemedicine
- Gainhealth Clinic in Ang Mo Kio – $145
- MyDoc (telemedicine) – at the pitch of the service.
More providers are on the way, so you’ll soon have fewer hoops to jump through before you zip off to the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, or any destination that accepts saliva pre‑departure tests.
Cost and Speed: Big Deal or Small Deal?
The results come within 24 hours, which is about the same speed as a regular PCR swab. Pre‑departure PCR tests in Singapore typically range from $107 to $200. So, whether you’re going for the slick, allergy‑free method or sticking with the tried‑and‑true swab, you’re looking at a similar price point.
Final Thoughts
Saliva testing is a real game‑changer: it’s less invasive, more accurate for mild cases, and, importantly, a kinder experience for those nervous about medical procedures. If you’re heading to a country that accepts saliva tests, it might just be the quickest way to get your green‑light stamped and your passport ready for action!
