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SINGAPORE – The governments of both countries have announced a reciprocal greenway between Singapore and Indonesia.
In a statement on Monday morning (October 12), both countries said that negotiations on the green lane had concluded and that applications would begin on October 26.
The reciprocal green lane will allow the resumption of cross-border travel for essential commercial and official purposes between the two countries.
Eligible applicants for the green lane are Indonesian citizens and Singapore citizens and residents.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters in Indonesia on Monday that Singapore applicants must be Singaporean citizens or permanent residents, and must be sponsored by an “Indonesian government / business entity.”
They should have also applied for a visa online through the Indonesian Directorate General for Immigration.
He added that applicants traveling to Singapore from Indonesia must be Indonesian nationals and be sponsored by a Singapore government agency and a Singapore company.
Indonesian citizens do not have to apply for a visa, but must apply for a secure travel pass, similar to the requirements for visitors from other countries with green lane or fast lane arrangements with Singapore.
These travelers will be required to comply with Covid-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries, including Covid-19 swab testing before departure and after the arrival of mutually recognized health institutions, the two said. countries.
Ms. Retno added that pre-departure tests must be done within 72 hours prior to departure from either country.
The foreign ministries of both countries said more details on the reciprocal greenway will be announced in due course.
Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, said that despite the high count of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia, the economic ties between the two countries are likely to be the reason why the Singapore government has decided to establish the greenway. with Indonesia.
He added that Singapore is clearly aware of the risk of cross-border infections, but pre-departure and post-arrival testing will help significantly reduce the chance of infectious patients entering the community here.
In addition to Indonesia, Singapore currently has travel agreements with eight other countries, with various restrictions in place.
Travelers arriving in Singapore from Brunei, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Australia, except the state of Victoria, can apply for an air travel pass for short visits here.
They must have been in either country for at least 14 consecutive days before arriving in Singapore, and they must test negative for coronavirus upon arrival before leaving their place of accommodation.
To facilitate essential business and official visits, green lanes or express lanes have also been established with China, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Brunei.
Additional reporting by Clara Chong.
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