The airport will implement safety measures to separate visitors, as the number of visitors is expected to increase as Singapore gradually relaxes its entry regulations. Specifically, only inbound visitors and professional reception service providers will be allowed to enter the airport’s immigration hall. However, restaurants, food service establishments and retail outlets at T3 immigration hall will remain temporarily closed during this period.
Earlier in May, Terminals T1 and T3, along with Jewel Changi (an extension of Changi Airport), were closed after a Covid-19 outbreak was detected at Terminal 3, with 108 cases, including 43 cases among airport staff. During this time, the entire air conditioning and ventilation system at the terminal was upgraded.
These are the steps in Singapore's careful reopening of its borders. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) believe that it is important to ensure that Changi Airport continues to be a safe airport for visitors to arrive and transit through. CAAS will continue to review the airport's safety procedures based on the Covid-19 situation.
Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry also said the country will gradually ease travel further through other initiatives, such as travel corridors for vaccinated people.
The island nation has also opened a “green lane” for vaccinated visitors from Germany and Brunei to enter Singapore without having to undergo quarantine, provided they have a number of negative Covid-19 test results as required. Meanwhile, short-term visitors from Hong Kong, mainland China (except Jiangsu province) and Taiwan can enter Singapore without having to undergo quarantine under the air travel pass mechanism.
As of August 31, about 80% of Singapore's population had completed two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and about 83% of Singapore's population had received at least one dose. Experts in the country still warn that while reaching 80% vaccination is a "remarkable achievement", Singapore should not rush to lift all the social distancing regulations at once because the phased reopening strategy is still effective.
