Singapore eyes further international travel opening: PM

Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong says his country will continue to look at ways to restore international air travel as coronavirus vaccination rates rise globally, including discussions with the USA. Lee made the remarks in a joint press conference with US vice president Kamala Harris, who is in the region to visit Singapore and Vietnam. Lee commented on the city-state’s travel opening plans in response to a question from a US journalist, who noted that quarantines for travellers from the USA have impacted US businesses, which have an extensive presence in the Southeast Asian nation. “As we have brought [Covid-19] infections under control, it’s easier for us to open up,” says Lee. “We have been very tight on our borders for some time, because it was necessary, and we had to get our situation in Singapore secured through vaccinations and infection control.” Singapore is among the most vaccinated nations in the world, with 78% of the total population having received a full regimen of Covid-19 vaccine. This has allowed the country to look at quarantine free travel to some regions, providing testing and procedures are in place.<br/>