Singaporeans can look forward to traveling to Australia again next month, as the latter prepares to reopen its borders to international tourists in time for the holidays.
Australia’s prime minister announced today that the country was ready to revive its aviation industry as more people inoculate themselves against COVID-19, starting with Singapore. The country is also planning to welcome tourists from Phuket, Bangkok, Fiji, Johannesburg, and Delhi, and is in talks with Indonesian authorities to allow flights to Bali.
“We are in the final stages of concluding an arrangement with the Singapore government. I was in a position, as you know, some months ago, when I met with the prime minister of Singapore […] to set up a new arrangement which will see our borders open more quickly to Singapore,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a press conference this morning. Both countries had been discussing “travel bubble” plans since March.
“We anticipate that being able to be achieved within the next week or so, as we would open up to more visa class holders coming out of Singapore,” he added.
Australia’s national carrier Qantas announced today that it will resume flights to Singapore from Sydney on Nov. 23, while its lower-cost airline Jetstar will fly to Singapore from Melbourne and Darwin starting Dec. 16. It also plans to relaunch flights to Delhi on Dec. 6, Fiji on Dec. 7, Johannesburg on Jan. 5, Phuket on Jan. 12, and Bangkok on Jan. 14.
The airline said discussions are underway with the Indonesian government about “welcoming fully vaccinated Australians back to Bali with reduced or no quarantine requirements.”
Singaporeans planning to fly to Australia have to be fully vaccinated and produce a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to departure; they will be contacted for further testings by the New South Wales government. Those who book tickets before Feb. 28 for dates leading up to New Year’s Eve can change their travel dates for free, subject to fare differences.
Australia has fully vaccinated 70% of residents aged 16 and above.
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