The 8th wave of Covid-19 has hit Singapore. The daily number of cases has doubled from an average of 3,000-4,000 cases to more than 10,000 cases. However, the Singapore government for the first time has confirmed that it will not implement a lockdown system to flatten the curve of the spread of Covid-19. Even Singapore's Minister of Health, Ong Ye Kung said that it is enough for residents to continue to wear masks indoors.

This is done because community activities in Singapore itself have been running normally as usual. Likewise with the tourist lanes in and out of this country.

The Land of Lions has also officially announced the launch of Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) to various countries. What is VTL?

The VTL is one part of the Singapore government's plan to gradually reopen its borders. With Singapore's high vaccination rate, it's possible to welcome tourists back. At a glance, this VTL is not much different from the travel bubble scheme where citizens from both countries are allowed to visit in one lane. VTL itself was first launched on September 8, 2021, for Brunei Darussalam and Germany. Then, Singapore began to expand its program to 21 other countries.

Actually, there are no restrictions that must be considered if departing from Singapore. However, tourists must comply with the travel requirements imposed by their country of destination. Please pay attention to some things such as travel documentation, COVID-19 test, approval/declaration of entry, and proof of vaccination.

Holidays to South Korea are fun, but don't forget the requirements to enter this country during the COVID-19 period, OK?

All individuals entering South Korea are required to go through a special immigration process to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Security measures at immigration change frequently so travelers are advised to check for updates from the Korea Disease Control Agency (KDCA).

Not only requires a visa, but visiting South Korea requires several documents such as:

In addition to the important documents above, there are many other things you need to consider before flying to South Korea for a vacation. Some of these are:

When you arrive in South Korea, you will also undergo a long process of entering the ginseng country. Some of the processes that you have to go through are:

Fill in the Health Questionnaire and Declaration of Travel Records (Special Quarantine Report) onboard

Upon arrival at the airport, check body temperature and submit documents at the quarantine checkpoint. Q-code applicants can use a previously issued QR code. However, printed documents may be required for verification, so please be prepared.

Carry out quarantine procedures. If you have done a complete vaccination, you will be released from quarantine without having to apply for a Quarantine Exemption Certificate.

All individuals entering South Korea are required to undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in Korea. Short-term visitors can take the PCR test at the COVID-19 Testing Center inside Incheon International Airport or at the nearest medical clinic at their own expense. Long-term visitors can have a PCR test at a public health center near their home/accommodation. The quarantine can be released if the test result is negative.

Currently, the number of cases of coronavirus infection in South Korea is increasing. Based on data from WHO, Worldometers, Wikipedia-EN, AndraFarm.com, as of Thursday (21/7/2022) at 12:01:09, the number of people infected with the coronavirus in South Korea has reached 19.01 million.

South Korea has eased most of the restrictions related to the pandemic, including the mandate for outdoor masks. This is due to a slowdown in the number of cases after peaking at more than 600,000 per day in mid-March. According to Prime Minister Han, the Government has no immediate plans to roll back the restrictions but does not rule them out in case of critical changes in the COVID-19 situation. Even the seven-day quarantine requirement for those infected with COVID-19 remains in effect.

South Korea has quality medical facilities, you can find clinics and hospitals that target both English and foreign-speaking patients. Moreover, doctors in South Korea generally speak English. If you visit, you should write down the symptoms you are experiencing on a paper, because most Koreans understand writing English better than speaking skills.

If you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, etc., immediately call 1339 for questions or do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) using a self-test kit or visit the nearest health clinic or COVID-19 testing center. In addition, tourists can also call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline for questions about COVID-19.

Upon returning to Singapore, travelers who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to enter Singapore without needing to be quarantined. There are several conditions that you can do, namely by providing proof of vaccination and submitting an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) a maximum of 3 days before arriving in Singapore. Travelers who do not have all the documents cannot board the plane by the airline. In addition, when you arrive at Changi Airport, you can also go straight out using a private vehicle or MRT.

Just like traveling to other countries, planning a vacation to South Korea also requires the preparation of complete documents starting from a passport valid for at least 6 months, vaccinations, PCR test results, to Q-Code registration.

Once all the required documents have been completed, before leaving you can immediately book accommodation and transportation while in South Korea. Don't forget to also look for a local South Korean number to make it easier for the medical team to inform you about the PCR test that you will take when you arrive at the airport.

On the day of departure, you must still wear a mask unless you are eating. This is done to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 on the plane. Upon arrival in Incheon, after taking care of various health matters, you can immediately go around South Korea.

If you want to visit the Mall or restaurant then you will be given a separate form to fill out. Usually, the form contains your name, place of residence, and a Korean or Singaporean contact number where you can be contacted.