Singapore announces big expansion of travel lanes as Omicron eases

Singapore has announced a major expansion of its vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) program as concern over the Omicron variant ease. 




“Now that we have greater certainty over the nature of Omicron and the associated public health risks, it is important that we pivot our travel posture and resume the safe reopening of our borders, and reclaim our position as a global business and aviation hub,” Transport Minister S Iswaran said in a press release.




The island nation said it has reinstated capacity under the VTL program to allow 15,000 travelers by air with immediate effect. The limit was set in November, but subsequently reduced to just 5,000 a day due to rising cases.




It has also decided to expand the VTL program to other areas of the world, beginning with the Middle East. It will launch with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which were planned VTLs that had been deferred.