As of 29 March 2022, Singapore is easing its measures to allow more activities to resume. The borders measures are more relaxed now and if you are thinking of planning your trip over, here are some useful information and links for you to better plan your trip:

  1. Before entering Singapore – Traveller’s checklist
  2. When in Singapore – safe measurement measures
  3. Visiting attractions in Singapore
  4. Eating in Singapore
  1. Before entering Singapore – Traveller’s checklist

As the rules are always changing, but stabilizing as we speak (especially for visitors who are fully vaccinated), the most useful website to get updated on the latest information is the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA). They have simplified their official main page renaming it safetravel into just three main sections:

  • Travelling into Singapore
  • Transiting through Singapore
  • Departing from Singapore

The official site for ICA is “https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/“. Tip: Look out for links that does not contain the gov.sg where gov stands for government. There has been a spike in scams lately especially online ones so its is always advisable to check when you are directed to a link and practice some skepticism you are prompted to pay for something online.

In general, before arriving in Singapore, ensure you have the relevant proof of vaccination and that this vaccination proof is recognized by the Singapore authorities. Fill in an SG arrival card within 3 days before you arrive – do take note that this SG arrival card information like email address is very important. As of October 2021, Singapore no longer ink your passport (sorry no chop of the merlion given!) but will provide you an e-Pass instead. This e-Pass is sent to the email address which you pre-fill in the form. Next, take a pre-departure test (PDT) 2 days before departure, exceptions do apply so do check up the website before arriving. Install the TraceTogether app and just after clearing immigration, you can activate it and have it set up with ground assistance on-arrival. Singapore is pro-vaccination, so if you aren’t fully vaccinated (or vaccines that are recognised by Singapore authorities), it may be more difficult to enter Singapore for a holiday. However, there is also a link within the same page for those who aren’t fully vaccinated with a checklist on what to take note.

2. When in Singapore – safe measurement measures

For the locals here, Singaporeans get our information on the latest COVID-19 safe measurement measures on the official website by the Ministry of Health. The official link is “https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19-phase-advisory“.

Earlier, I did mentioned the TraceTogether app which you should download prior to entering Singapore, we use this app to show proof of our vaccination status in places where Vaccination-differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) apply. These settings include places of attractions, shopping malls, some restaurants and even the hotels where you are staying. If you are travelling as a family with children below 12, you can use the app and check them into the attraction or malls together as a group.

With the latest easing measurements on 29 March 2022, groups of up to 10 pax is allowed and there is no safe distancing requirements (of having 1m part) in outdoor settings (Yes! that breathe of fresh air). However, most Singaporeans still go about their day to day routine with masks on (Thank you Washington post for pointing that out). Outdoor settings doesn’t mean “non-air conditioned” places because there are some exceptions that apply too. That doesn’t include hawker centres where you will find the vibrant local food scene (always make it part of your holiday plans). Here is snippet on when mask-waring is required:

Mask-wearing will continue to be required for indoor settings when people leave their homes, but will be optional in outdoor settings. 

  • Examples of indoor places: Office buildings, shopping malls, public transport (i.e. when commuting in trains and buses), hawker centres and coffeeshops.
  • Examples of outdoor areas: Housing Development Board (HDB) void decks, retail block walkways, bus stops, and bus interchanges.

Before coming to Singapore, you may get up to date information the safe management measures on: https://www.gov.sg/article/revised-safe-management-measures.

3. Visiting attractions in Singapore

Of all the safe-management-measures, I thought the safe distancing of 1 metre apart, mask wearing and TraceTogether would be the most relevant if you are coming as a tourist. Depending on the attractions you plan to visit, most would require a mask so always be prepared to have a few with you when on the move. Before leaving your hotel, check with the concierge or the official website of the attractions on ticketing. Although the crowds aren’t back in Singapore, you never know if a venue has been reserved for a wedding or an event (now that the measures are more relaxed!). Always go for the official website as I have mentioned earlier as the rest are sponsored ad of ticketing companies.

The top 3 places which I would highly recommend during your stay here include:

  1. Gardens by the Bay: The two cooling observatories (ticketed) which you can get some respite from the hot weather but they also show cases flora and fauna with amazing architecture too.
  2. National Gallery of Singapore: An art gallery built within 2 historic and iconic buildings of Singapore. They have a few complimentary tours as part of the ticket but my favorite has got to be the architecture tour called “Building Highlights”. Passes are on a first come first serve basis.
  3. Singapore City Gallery: The Singapore City Gallery showcases Singapore’s dramatic transformation over the past 50 years, to become one of the most liveable cities in Asia. The gallery consists of three levels and has interactive exhibits to let you understand how the “engines” of Singapore work. It also offers free volunteer-led guided tours during weekdays and Saturdays which you can join by booking on eventbrite.
  4. There is also the Malay Heritage Centre, Indian Heritage Centre in the respective ethnic quarters. Do take note that most religious places of interest which were very open and welcoming of visitors (pre-covid) do still have restricted entry requirements.

4. Eating in Singapore

Never miss the hawker scene in Singapore. A hawker centre is an open air space where many variety of food can be found and low prices, you can settle for a decent portion of food between $3 – $6 per pax. A few must try local food has got to be the Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Bak Kut Teh (Claypot pork ribs soup), Hokkien Prawn Noodles, Satay, Roasted pork and Braised duck. The local food scene is a mix of flavors from around South east Asia. Hence it is not difficult to find authentic Asia or South East Asia cuisines including Vietnamese food, North Indian food, Balinese or even Hong Kong egg tarts. For hawker centres which you must visit, do put “Albert Food Centre”, “Tekka Food Centre” and “Maxwell Food Centre” into your lists. They are also near places of attractions which you will be visiting.

For more on the reviews, Singaporeans follow food bloggers like “misstamchiak“, “ladyironchef“, “sethlui“, if they say this place is good and a “must eat”, its definitely worth a try! Tip: For most if not all restaurants, I do recommend to book them in advance especially with the measures eased. The maximum allowable gathering is up to 10 now however the 1 metre safe distancing still apply as eating is an unmasked activity so popular places would still be constrained by seating arrangements. However, since Covid, the booking system for most restaurants have been set up and revamped so make sure you book before going. If however, you decided to just rest or got stuck in a hotel, the delivery and take away services of most if not all notable restaurants are really just a click away.