kaskade916

Singapore announced new transit requirements on Sept 6. Have a flight on SQ heading to Dubai in 3 weeks so this put me in a panic but I spoke with someone from the place I have a test scheduled at and I think I�m good. Big differences from previous requirements are that a QR code must be on the certificate and the test must be preformed within 48 hours of the �date� of departure (not sure if this is a strict 48 window, or 48 hours of the day you are leaving). Luckily our test appointment was already within the strict 48 hour window of our flight.

Full text below:

�*With effect from 9 September 2021, 1559 hours GMT (2359 hours Singapore local time), all travellers departing for transit through Singapore are required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test within 48 hours before the scheduled departure date of their flight. Only travellers who have remained in Hong Kong SAR (China), Macao SAR (China), Mainland China, and Taiwan (China) in the past 21 days are exempted from the pre-departure Covid-19 test.

Self-administered PCR tests will not be accepted for transit through Singapore.

Covid-19 test result memo

The Covid-19 PCR test must be taken at a recognised or accredited clinic, laboratory or medical facility. For a smoother check-in process, you should check if the clinic is able to provide a test certificate with a corresponding QR code. This QR code should link to your digital pre-departure test certificate. The test certificate must also be in English, and state the following:

1. a negative test result;
2. test date;
3. the name of the traveller as indicated in his/her passport; and
4. at least one other detail of the traveller such as:

• date of birth
• nationality/citizenship
• passport number
• national identity number

If the details are not stated in the passport, you should have the relevant identification document on hand for verification.

Passengers transiting through Changi Airport are reminded to wear their masks while in transit and observe safe distancing measures.�

sbs2716g

QR is not necessary. But if you have it, it will help.

The requirement was change due to too many positive cases tested upon arrival (rather than during quarantine) in Singapore for the past 3 months.

KE81

I've sent an email to SQ to confirm, but SQ's guidance indicates that it's the date of the flight that matters, not the actual departure time:

Granted, this is under the old advisory, but SQ's initial guidance under the new advisory seems to be consistent with what I've quoted above:

Also, as OP noted, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's website indicates that the test result need only have the date of the test, not the time.

I'm hoping that only the departure date is relevant because it looks like my test will be more than 48 hours before the departure time.

Utskicat

Transit Information | COVID-19 Advisory | Singapore Changi Airport

I have a connection in SIN next week. Changi's transit webpage still indicates 72 hour test is required for transit. Are we sure that the 48 hour test applies to transit passengers?

bpk6h

Yes, it applies for transit when originating from category II/III/IV countries. Specific details are within this SG Government announcement.

Utskicat

Thanks. Its clear there. It should be updated on the Changi and Singapore Airlines websites. I found it as a press release on SIA website but not on the transit info page. Maybe they are waiting to update the pages once it goes into affect.

Another question about Changi and the current testing requirements. Do they do any sort of check at arrival other than tempature? I only have 1 hr 15 m connection from Air France in T1 to SIA in T3 and looking at the flight history for the last week for AF256 its consistently landing 30-45 mins late. Should I be concerned about the connection?

freed0m

are you sure that your flights are allowed for transit? There is no self-transit in Changi. AF has to get approval from CAAS to transfer you to SQ (you will be escorted all the way to SQ), or there is no such transit allowed, you will be denied boarding in France, unless you are permitted to enter Singapore.

Utskicat

Yep, my route and airlines are on the approved route transfer list.

freed0m

then you have nothing to worry. AF has to make sure to transfer you to SQ. They will not let you run around in Changi.

pandalama

This sucks big time. No lounge and no access to anything but confined "waiting areas" ... hahaha

SilverChris

Not that I've been paying close attention, but I'm surprised to see they've extended the list of transfer-eligible carriers.

Utskicat

Its crazy, Singapore finally updated it on their Singapore transit info page, but the Changi airport transit instructions still say 72 hours.

Also, I know that AF (or Changi staff) will escort me to to the SQ gate. My question is more if they will run me over if the connection is tight or just let me misconnect and wait for flight next morning? Are they motivated under this covid transit scheme to get connecting passengers with super tight connections to gate especially if inbound flight is delayed?

freed0m

SQ will make a judgement on the day depending on how much delay AF runs. If AF is late, should it book you a transit hotel for the next flights? I believe the transit hotel is still open, but still you will be confined to your hotel room and are not allowed to leave your room until the time of your flight.

sbs2716g

Most likely SQ staff will be waiting for you at arrival with the buggy.

do inform the AF cabin crew on your connecting flight to see whether you can allow to disembark early. I know SQ used to do so in the past whereby those paxes with tight connection will get down first. Not so sure about AF.

bpk6h

Currently the disembarkation process is slightly slower. Upon arrival at the gate, a Changi airport staff member will board the plane and announce the two fold process. Passengers will be asked to wait to disembark depending on whether they are entering Singapore or transiting. As to which group goes first, I have experienced both options as a passenger entering Singapore (once I exited first, once I was second after transit pax) so I don't know which is more common.

You will be provided a green wristband to indicate you are a transit passenger and will be led by ​​​​a Changi airport staff member (presumably to your next gate if there is no time for the transit lounge). As long as you are not substantially delayed, I would expect that they will hold departure for any minor delays in the current environment (assuming SQ is aware of your inbound flight).

Of course, I have to caveat the above that processes are constantly being tweaked and may differ by the time of your flight.