VTL: How Many Covid-19 Tests You Have To Take, According To Which Country You’re Going To

After being grounded for almost two years, it looks like leisure travel is set to take off again soon, with Singapore expanding its Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) arrangement, which lets fully-vaccinated folks travel from countries under the VTL to Singapore without having to serve a Stay-Home Notice.

There are 18 ongoing VTL countries, including South Korea, Malaysia, France, UK and the US. A VTL with Thailand starts Dec 14, and VTLs with Cambodia, Fiji, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Turkey are set to commence Dec 16.

VTLs with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates originally scheduled to launch Dec 6 have been deferred as a precautionary move to reduce the risk of importation of the new Omicron variant.

Under the VTLs, quarantine-free travel is possible for fully vaccinated people to enter Singapore, and they must travel to Singapore on designated VTL flights.

The entry requirements for returning to Singapore on the VTL are crystal clear: Do two PCR tests — one 48 hours before arriving back in Singapore, and another on-arrival at Changi Airport — in lieu of quarantine.

[Update, Nov 30] From Dec 3, travellers entering Singapore on the VTL scheme will have to undergo antigen rapid tests (ART) on Day 3 and Day 7 of their arrival in Singapore at a Quick Test Centre (QTC). These are supervised self-administered ARTs and cost $15 each.

However, your pre-trip planning should also factor if you need any pre-departure tests (PDT) before you even leave Singapore — these vary from VTL country to VTL country.

Where to take a PDT in Singapore: Go to one of the MOH-approved PCR and ART swab providers and clinics (full list here).

Where to take a PDT overseas to return to Singapore on the VTL: You must get an ART or PCR test at a provider that’s approved by the country’s health ministry or equivalent. These must be professionally administered tests as self-administered PCR and ART test results are not accepted for entry into Singapore. MOH and Singapore Airlines have provided lists of swab test providers here and here.

How many Covid-19 tests you’ll have to take if you’re doing a return trip on the VTL (ie. Sin-VTL country-Sin):

Malaysia (Air VTL)
How many tests in total: 6
#1: In Singapore: PCR test two days prior to flight to Malaysia.
#2: In KL: On-arrival PCR test for non-Malaysians
#3: In Malaysia: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#4: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#6: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

India
How many tests in total: 5
#1: In Singapore: PCR test 72 hours prior to flight to India. Upload result here.
#2: In India: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

South Korea
How many tests in total: 7
#1: In Singapore: PCR test in Singapore 72 hours before departing to Korea.
#2: In Korea: On-arrival test in Korea at Incheon Airport (from 174,000 KRW or S$197). Book here )
#3: In Korea: Day 6 or 7 PCR test ($150-200), if staying more than 8 days. Arrival day is counted as Day 0.
#4: In Korea: ART or PCR test in Korea 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#5: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#6: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#7: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Australia (New South Wales, Victoria)
Only fully-vaccinated Australian citizens/PR and their immediate family members and fully-vacccinated Singapore citizens are eligible to travel via the Australia VTL. You must self-isolate for at least 72 hours upon arrival in NSW and Victoria.
Sydney, NSW: 6 tests in total
#1: In Sydney: PCR test within 24 hours of arrival
#2: In Sydney: PCR test on or after day 7 of arriving in New South Wales
#3: In Australia: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#4: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#6: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.
Melbourne, Victoria: 6 tests in total
#1: In Melbourne: PCR test within 24 hours of arrival
#2: In Melbourne: PCR test between Day 5 and 7 after arrival.
#3: In Australia: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#4: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#6: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

United Kingdom
How many tests in total: 5
#1: In UK: Day 2 PCR test in the UK (from £1.25 or S$2.30 for a self-swab at a facility, to £399 for a house call swab test). Book a test before you fly from this list. Day of arrival is counted as Day 0. You must self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
#2: In UK: PCR test in UK 48 hours before departing for Singapore.
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Denmark
How many tests in total: 5
#1: In Denmark: Isolate at accommodation for four days upon arrival in Denmark; take a PCR test on the fourth day. Exit isolation after receiving a negative PCR result.
#2: In Denmark: PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Italy
How many tests in total: 5
#1: In Singapore: Pre-departure test – ART/PCR test, maximum 72 hours before arrival in Italy.
#2: In Italy: PCR test in Italy 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

France
How many tests in total: 4-5
#1: In Singapore: For unvaccinated children aged 12 and above, a PCR test 72 hours before the flight to France.
#2: In France: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Netherlands
How many tests in total: 5
#1: In Singapore: Pre-departure ART within 24 hours — or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) 48 hours –prior to the flight from Singapore to the Netherlands.
#2: In Netherlands: PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Spain
How many tests in total: 4
#1: In Spain: PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#2: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#3: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Germany
How many tests in total: 4
#1: In Germany: PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#2: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#3: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Canada
How many tests in total: 5-6
#1: In Singapore: Pre-departure PCR test, maximum 72 hours before departure of last direct flight to Canada.
#2: In Canada: No on-arrival tests in Canada for vaccinated travellers, but mandatory randomised arrival tests may be required.
#3: In Canada: PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#4: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#6: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

United States
How many tests in total: 5
#1: In Singapore: ART/PCR test, no more than three days before first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary.
#2: In US: PCR test in US 48 hours before departing for Singapore.
#3: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#5: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Switzerland
How many tests in total: 4
#1: In Switzerland: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#2: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#3: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Finland
How many tests in total: 4
#1: In Finland: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#2: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#3: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Sweden
How many tests in total: 4
#1: In Sweden: ART or PCR test 48 hours before departing for Singapore
#2: In Singapore: On-arrival test at Changi Airport ($125). Book and pre-pay here.
#3: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 3 of arrival, a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre ($15). Find out where here, and book an appointment here.
#4: In Singapore: (from Dec 3) On Day 7 of arrival, a second supervised self-administered ART at a QTC.

Photo: Unsplash/shawnanggg