The world has been struck with a series of pandemics for the past couple of years. Deaths have been recorded worldwide, and families have been threaded. Countries, nations, and even continents have had to adjust and adapt to the new conditions for survival. For a while, airports and borders were blocked to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 virus. Family vacations and school trips have been cancelled; jobs have been lost; others have been created.
Amidst all of these effects, the deaths recorded and the distance created between loved ones are the most devastating. In a bid to counter this effect and return the world to a norm, Singapore has effected the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).
What is the VTL?
The Singapore Ministry of Transport implemented a new lane for passengers who are vaccinated to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like the COVID 19. This new lane is known as the “vaccinated travel lane” (VTL). The VTL allows passengers who have been vaccinated against infectious diseases (especially the coronavirus) to use this lane without having to queue up at the airport terminal.
To qualify, an individual must be travelling on an international or domestic flight and show proof that they have received any of the following vaccines: hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, cholera, polio, measles, rubella, and Covid 19. If you meet these qualifications, then you can avoid queuing up at checkpoints by using the VTL checkpoint available in Terminal 2 at Changi Airport.
What you need to know about VTL
The vaccination travel lane was put in place to protect passengers (especially the passengers who have been vaccinated), from contracting any viruses. Therefore, certain rules have been put in place to ensure this. Here is what you need to know about the vaccination travel lane in Singapore:
- You cannot use this lane if you have a fever or any other communicable disease. This protects all passengers from the danger of contamination.
- If your boarding pass says “vaccinated passengers” on it, then you can use the VTL. This is the first condition that gives you access to the VTL section of the airport.
- If you’re travelling on an international flight and have been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, cholera, and the covid 29 virus especially, then you will not be allowed to use the VTL.
- The queue for immigration will be shorter for those who are using the VTL because they don’t have to wait in line to be checked through security checkpoints.
These are some of the perks of getting vaccinated as an airline passenger. The VTL is only available at Terminal 2, and there are restrictions as some vaccinations are not accepted. Before getting excited about the advantages of using the vaccination travel
line, let us talk about the conditions necessary for applying for a VTL in Singapore.
Steps to applying for a VTL in Singapore
Apart from getting vaccinated for contagious viruses, There are a few other things you need to do to get on the vaccination travel line. You need to register on the VTL, and here is how;
- You have to go to the airport prepared with your vaccination card or letter of immunization. This eases the process of getting you on the VTL.
- Submit your passport with a boarding pass that shows the VTL checkpoint and temperatures required to use it.
- You will not be able to use the VTL lane if you have a temperature as high as 101 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure you submit information beforehand on what it takes for you to travel without using this lane to avoid any complications upon arrival in Singapore.
- If there is no international travel visa included for the country where one will be travelling from, then an eVisa should already have been submitted ahead of time, so there won’t be any waiting line at immigration when arriving at Singapore’s airport (if going directly).
If you meet these qualifications, then you can avoid queuing up at checkpoints by using the VTL checkpoint available in Terminal 2 at Changi Airport. Here are some steps you need to take if you want to use this new lane to get through immigration quickly:
- Check your vaccine record on your boarding pass at Changi Airport before approaching immigration booths.
- If you do not have a boarding pass with your vaccination details, then proceed to step two, where staff will check your record.
- If you have passed all requirements and still cannot print your boarding pass due to technical difficulties, then proceed to step three, where staff will manually check ticket details with your vaccination record.
- Print out the boarding pass from step 3 and proceed through immigration when you reach the end
There is not much to this process. All you need are a few documents and good health status. If you meet these qualifications, then you can avoid queuing up at checkpoints by using the VTL checkpoint available in Terminal 2 at Changi Airport.
What is Coronavirus?
Just in case you have no idea ( which is very unlikely), coronavirus is a highly contagious and often fatal disease. It is spread by direct contact with infected people, contaminated objects, or aerosols. The virus causes fever and respiratory problems and can be contracted when travelling to Singapore. Before getting vaccinated for the virus, you need to get tested first.
How do you test for coronavirus?
You can test for Coronavirus in Singapore by visiting your doctor and getting a blood test. It is possible to have the virus without experiencing any symptoms, so it’s important to get tested before you go out of the country.
When you get tested for coronavirus, your doctor will most likely also give you a prescription that will help protect you from the virus while you’re away.
If you’re flying to Singapore, make sure that the airport has a dedicated Coronavirus testing station. That way, if someone does show symptoms after arriving at their destination, they can be sent quickly for treatment and not spread the disease to fellow passengers. Let’s talk about a few more things you need to know about the covid 19 virus.
What else should be done to avoid coronavirus?
One of the best ways to avoid coronavirus is to get vaccinated. This can be done in Singapore, but you’ll need an international certificate of vaccination. To obtain this certificate, you’ll need to take a blood test and have the results sent over to a doctor within 24 hours for testing. Another great way to stay healthy while in Singapore is by remaining hydrated. Dehydration increases the severity of Coronavirus symptoms because it causes your body temperature to rise significantly and triggers your immune system.
To prevent dehydration, you must drink plenty of water as well as other fluids such as sports drinks or fruit juices. Coronavirus is a dangerous virus that spreads through contact with infected saliva. It is a type of paramyxovirus which is usually contracted by mouth-to-mouth contact. The first symptoms of coronavirus are mild flu-like symptoms. However, soon thereafter, the infection can spread to the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia.
Conclusion
New travellers who are vaccinated against infectious diseases can now use the “vaccinated travel lane” without having to queue up. To qualify, they must fly internationally or domestically and present proof of vaccination for hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, cholera, polio (which is a subset of measles), rubella and most especially the covid 19 virus. The VTL is important because, at the end of the day, your health and safety are all that matter.