Japan residents and regional travellers have been waiting with bated breath ever since the Japanese government announced the possibility of a travel bubble with neighbouring Asian countries. For some, the reopening of borders meant being reunited with friends and family abroad for the first time in months. For others, it's finally being able to take that essential overseas trip after social distancing and working from home since March. As of September 8, seven Asian countries and regions are included in Japan’s expanding travel bubble; they are Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Now, Singapore will also join the ranks starting Friday September 18.
On September 11, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced that short-term business travel between Singapore and Japan will resume next week. This is the first country that Japan has agreed to reopen borders with for business purposes; the agreements made with the aforementioned Asian regions are only applicable to residents for now.
As a safeguard, travellers going between Japan and Singapore must be tested for the Covid-19 coronavirus pre-departure as well as upon arrival in either country. While they must also submit and adhere to a strict travel itinerary for the duration of their stay, travellers will not be required to observe a 14-day quarantine period. Though it may take some time before people are able to freely travel for non-business purposes, this special agreement made with Singapore is a promising step towards resuming more flights abroad.
For more information on this Japan-Singapore travel corridor, click here.
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