Heck No, VTL Still Stays Cool Between Singapore & South Korea!
Even with the new 10‑day quarantine rule stoked up from Friday (Dec 3), the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) remains in full swing. Singapore folks can still hop to Seoul without splashing a quarantine pouch in their pockets.
What the Korean Embassy is Saying
- “The VTL arrangement between our two countries stays untouched for now,” the Korean Embassy in Singapore told us.
- They added, the COVID vibes are all over the map. Check their website often before you pack your bags.
Why the Bafflement Happened
On Wednesday, after South Korea confirmed its first Omicron cases (including a fully‑vaccinated couple from Nigeria), the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) decided to cut the quarantine exemptions for all inbound vaccinated travelers.
Rather than letting newcomers “fly in” under the VTL, Korea now plans to enforce a 10‑day quarantine for everyone arriving from Friday onward.
Who Wants To Know More?
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is puzzling over whether this new rule will apply to VTL flights. Their director, Daniel Ng, said:
- “We’re checking if the 10‑day rule tops the VTL arrangement for entry into the Republic of Korea.”
- We’re waiting for official word.
Good News for VTL Travelers
Until we get a definitive answer:
- Eligible travelers from South Korea can still enter Singapore under the VTL scheme, provided they pass the required COVID tests.
Airlines Still On the VTL Roll
South Korean flag carrier Korean Air clarified that the 10‑day quarantine won’t touch VTL flights into Korea, nor those into Singapore.
Other VTL operators include:
- Singapore Airlines (SIA)
- Scoot
- Asiana Airlines
What SIA Is Doing
SIA is on standby, consulting with Korean authorities about any revised entry nuances. In a quick Facebook shout‑out, SIA said:
“No change to the VTL services to Korea yet. We’ll update our customers once the Korean authorities give us their final word.”
Bottom Line
The VTL keeps running smoothly for now. Just keep your eye on the official updates, pack your sanity, and get ready for a Korean adventure that doesn’t involve a week‑long lockdown.
