Singapore and South Korea announced that the two countries would introduce a “fast track” entry program for essential trips by businesspeople, providing an exception to coronavirus entry restrictions. In a phone conversation, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan reached the agreement on the streamlined entry procedures set to take effect on Friday.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that the arrangement will help restore connectivity and support economic recovery, and added that the necessary public health safeguards would be in place. Similarly, Seoul stated, “The agreement with Singapore, the logistical and financial hub, is expected to contribute to not only the two countries’ economic recovery, but also the stable management of global supply chains under the COVID-19 situation.”
Under the entry program, a South Korean businessperson can fly to Singapore only if they have tested negative for coronavirus and obtained a travel pass from the Singaporean government. Upon arrival, they must undergo another test, upon which a negative result will exempt them from quarantine. The Singaporean government stated that more details about the fast-lane arrangements and application process would be published on the SafeTravel website by Friday.
This is Singapore’s third fast track entry program, after announcing one with Brunei earlier this week and one with China back in June. In its fast lane agreement with China, the rules stipulate that travellers on both sides will be exempt from serving quarantine periods of up to 14 days. But, they must first agree to be tested and bear the costs. If they are found to be infected with Covid-19 upon landing in Singapore or China, they will be hospitalised and will have to pay for their own treatment. Singapore also opened cross-border travel with Malaysia, and specific quarantining rules were put in place.
Apart from Singapore, South Korea has entered into a fast lane entry program with three other countries—China, United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. In the context of its fast lane entry with China, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry stated, “the agreement will contribute to minimising economic and social impact of Covid-19” in both the countries. It further added that the two sides would “make efforts to improve the effectiveness of the procedure” and hold discussions to “expand the scope of its application.” Reports suggest that thousands of business people from China and South Korea have benefitted as a result of the program. Accordingly, South Korea is simultaneously pushing to create such streamlined entry programs with other countries as well, emphasising that essential business trips should be allowed to mitigate the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Singapore and South Korea Agree to “Fast-Track” Travel Entry Program
The two countries believe that the fast-track entry program will promote business and stabilise global supply chains impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 3, 2020
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, before their talks in Singapore on March 3, 2018. SOURCE: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SOUTH KOREA.