COVID-19: Singapore and Thailand drop testing requirements

As of Tuesday 26 April, Singapore is dropping pre-departure testing for vaccinated visitors, which puts travel to the island nearly back to pre-pandemic status. Thailand is doing the same thing from Sunday 1 May 2022.

Singapore

The state has already dropped on arrival testing and its Vaccinated Travel Lane system. When you are in Singapore, there are now few restrictions on group gatherings, however, masks must be worn indoors. In other good news, nightclubs and karaoke bars have reopened, and the 10:30 pm curfew on alcohol sales in restaurants and bars has been lifted.

Thailand

If you are fully vaxxed, then no pre-arrival or post-arrival test will be required after 1 May. You can also forget the ‘Test & Go’ program, but you still will have to apply for a Thailand Pass before your trip (simplified application now online)and hold travel insurance for a minimum value of US410,000 coverage, including COVID-19 cover. This has been reduced from the previous US$20,00 cover. While not mandatory, authorities are encouraging regular RAT tests for foreign visitors during their stay, which is just sensible.

The Thai tourism industry has been devastated by the pandemic, so this return to almost ‘normal’ is very welcome. It also might be the time to pick up a bargain trip, especially for accommodation in the kingdom.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

I’m a keen fan of both of these destinations, but especially Thailand. I’d be on a plane tomorrow for either country if commitments would allow. Although airfares from Australia tend to be on the high side at the moment, there are some wonderful accommodation bargains in cities like Bangkok.

Both Thailand and Singapore also have great health systems should you have the misfortune to catch COVID while away. In these pandemic times, no one should be travelling without comprehensive health insurance.

All you have to do is make sure you keep yourself nice prior to your travel. Friends of mine had the great misfortune of contracting COVID within days of a planned visit to Thailand. So make sure you have great insurance to cover this and wear a mask where practical, even though it is no longer mandated in most of Australia.