Qatar added to Singapore's quarantine-free travel programme

Singapore will expand its quarantine-free travel programme to Qatar, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and the UAE this month, its health ministry said Wednesday, and will progressively add more destinations under the scheme, Reuters reported. It will also restore and increase quotas under its vaccinated travel programme, which had been reduced in December to deal with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Singapore will also streamline border measures for travellers from most countries and remove an entry approval requirement for eligible long-term pass holders, making it easier for expatriates to travel, the ministry said. The country reported a record 19,179 local coronavirus infections the previous day, but a majority of the cases had mild or no symptoms. The government said the case load was within expectations and that the overall situation in the healthcare system remained stable.New Vaccinated Travel Lane flights, which allow quarantine-free travel to Singapore, will start on February 25 for the four countries mentioned above.