VTL predeparture test timing - 2 days prior or 48 hours prior?
Feb 1, 22, 9:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 134
VTL predeparture test timing - 2 days prior or 48 hours prior?
Flying Singapore Airlines to SIN from the US this week on a VTL flight. I thought I understood the timing of the pre-departure test to be "within 2 days prior" to the flight date, which means(for example) that a flight on Nov 3 could be boarded with a test taken any time on Nov 1. Here is the example given on the VTL safe travel website:
However, some SQ phone agents seem confused and are claiming it's actually 48 hours prior.
My flight is late at night which makes 48 hours tricky to arrange. I'm planning on taking a test on Thurs 2/3 at 9:30 AM for my flight on Saturday 2/5 at 10:30 PM.
Under the "within 2 days prior" rule this works. Under the "48 hours" rule it does not. I'm getting mixed signals from the phone agents, and hopefully the gate agents are a bit more informed. Can anyone clarify this situation? What can be done if the gate agents claim the 48-hour rule is valid and they don't accept my test?
If the pre-departure test is taken on 1 November 2021, it will be valid for departures up to 3 November 2021, 2359 hours
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/faq#PDT
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/faq#PDT
My flight is late at night which makes 48 hours tricky to arrange. I'm planning on taking a test on Thurs 2/3 at 9:30 AM for my flight on Saturday 2/5 at 10:30 PM.
Under the "within 2 days prior" rule this works. Under the "48 hours" rule it does not. I'm getting mixed signals from the phone agents, and hopefully the gate agents are a bit more informed. Can anyone clarify this situation? What can be done if the gate agents claim the 48-hour rule is valid and they don't accept my test?
Last edited by Heliface; Feb 1, 22 at 9:42 am
Feb 1, 22, 9:31 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL 0 Million Miler (and PM), Amtrak Select, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,769
Flying Singapore Airlines to SIN from the US this week on a VTL flight. I thought I understood the timing of the pre-departure test to be "within 2 days prior" to the flight date, which means(for example) that a flight on Nov 3 could be boarded with a test taken any time on Nov 1. Here is the example given on the VTL safe travel website:
However, some SG phone agents seem confused and are claiming it's actually 48 hours prior.
My flight is late at night which makes 48 hours tricky to arrange. I'm planning on taking a test on Thurs 2/3 at 9:30 AM for my flight on Saturday 2/5 at 10:30 PM.
Under the "within 2 days prior" rule this works. Under the "48 hours" rule it does not. I'm getting mixed signals from the phone agents, and hopefully the gate agents are a bit more informed. Can anyone clarify this situation? What can be done if the gate agents claim the 48-hour rule is valid and they don't accept my test?
However, some SG phone agents seem confused and are claiming it's actually 48 hours prior.
My flight is late at night which makes 48 hours tricky to arrange. I'm planning on taking a test on Thurs 2/3 at 9:30 AM for my flight on Saturday 2/5 at 10:30 PM.
Under the "within 2 days prior" rule this works. Under the "48 hours" rule it does not. I'm getting mixed signals from the phone agents, and hopefully the gate agents are a bit more informed. Can anyone clarify this situation? What can be done if the gate agents claim the 48-hour rule is valid and they don't accept my test?
Feb 1, 22, 9:44 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 134
Its two days prior the phone agents are misinformed (in fact Im surprised you managed to get through to one) and the SQ check-in staff are well aware of the requirements I had no issue checking in the 9.40pm JFK-SIN on 1/30 with a test from 9am on 1/28. If you do run into a problem (highly unlikely) you could pull up the ICA wording or even the wording from the SQ site, but I doubt youll need that
Man - all these complex rules, and the rule changes - makes it real hard to keep things straight. Thanks for the input.
Feb 1, 22, 3:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 216
SQ websites clearly stated that:
All travellers must take a Pre-Departure Test (PDT) within 2 days before departure for Singapore:
Travel Checklist - Category(II) (ica.gov.sg)
The check in agent in the US are aware of the ruling. you are good to go
All travellers must take a Pre-Departure Test (PDT) within 2 days before departure for Singapore:
Travel Checklist - Category(II) (ica.gov.sg)
The check in agent in the US are aware of the ruling. you are good to go
Last edited by Guyin; Feb 1, 22 at 11:59 pm
Feb 2, 22, 8:23 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 134
Thanks everyone. A new wrinkle has appeared. Just got an email from SQ outlining what I need for my upcoming trip. One of the items (appears to) state that my pre-departure test REQUIRES a QR code. This requirement is stated nowhere else AFAIK, especially not on the ICA website. Here's the language in the email:
I doubt my clinic provides a QR code. Elsewhere on the SQ website they reference a QR code, but they present it as merely a suggestion:
Are they really enforcing this?
Customers entering Singapore, may register for Safe Travel Concierge to view and complete a checklist of pre-travel requirements. They are required to undergo a pre-departure test (PDT) within two days prior to the scheduled departure of flight, and must hold a digitally verifiable certificate (i.e. contains a QR code for verification). Click here for a list of clinics.
I doubt my clinic provides a QR code. Elsewhere on the SQ website they reference a QR code, but they present it as merely a suggestion:
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.
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...eb22_HOpretrip
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...eb22_HOpretrip
Are they really enforcing this?
Last edited by Heliface; Feb 2, 22 at 8:29 am
Feb 2, 22, 9:20 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 89
- Is in English (or accompanied with an English translation);
- Contains the traveller's name, and Date of Birth or Passport number (per the passport used to travel to Singapore); and
- Reflects the date and result of the PCR test.
Feb 2, 22, 10:34 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 134
- Is in English (or accompanied with an English translation);
- Contains the traveller's name, and Date of Birth or Passport number (per the passport used to travel to Singapore); and
- Reflects the date and result of the PCR test.
Feb 2, 22, 3:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 216
That's exactly the information I'm finding as well. The QR requirement is ONLY stated in this "before you fly" email they just sent. Gotta love airlines flubbing the rules or making up their own. But will they try to enforce this is my question. Has anyone run into problems with a non-qr test?
Presented 2 reports at SQ check in counter and no questions asked.
Feb 6, 22, 2:22 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,121
April 1 SQ from CPH to SIN nonstop VTL
Mar 30 Depart Toronto to FRA (change planes)
Mar 31 FRA to CPH
Should we test in Toronto March 30? or Can we test in CPH ? Is a PCR needed or or just the ART? Both are CAD citizens fully boostered!
Direct Flight
For travellers who take a direct flight, the 2 days will be counted from the departure of the flight to Singapore
Connecting Flight
For travellers who have to take connecting flight(s), if the total transit duration for the trip is:
Mar 30 Depart Toronto to FRA (change planes)
Mar 31 FRA to CPH
Should we test in Toronto March 30? or Can we test in CPH ? Is a PCR needed or or just the ART? Both are CAD citizens fully boostered!
Direct Flight
For travellers who take a direct flight, the 2 days will be counted from the departure of the flight to Singapore
Connecting Flight
For travellers who have to take connecting flight(s), if the total transit duration for the trip is:
- within 24 hours, the 2 days will be counted from the departure of the first leg
- more than 24 hours, the 2 days will be counted from the departure of the last leg (i.e. the flight to Singapore)
Last edited by djjaguar64; Feb 7, 22 at 9:06 am
Feb 6, 22, 4:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 629
- Is in English (or accompanied with an English translation);
- Contains the traveller's name, and Date of Birth or Passport number (per the passport used to travel to Singapore); and
- Reflects the date and result of the PCR test.
Feb 6, 22, 4:33 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,121
Yes, I don't think at home tests are considered valid and or accurateYou must still source this test through a private provider in the UK before departure, and quote the reference number on your Passenger Locator Form, in order to check-in for your flight.
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...locations/#U-Z
Available at private hospitals and private GPs.
Do note that pre-departure test certificates from the UK National Health Service are not accepted for international travel. Always check the certification requirements for all destinations in your itinerary before you fly.
For greater convenience, book your pre-departure Covid-19 test with our partner, Collinson.
Last edited by djjaguar64; Feb 6, 22 at 4:40 pm
Feb 6, 22, 5:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 629
Yes, I don't think at home tests are considered valid and or accurateYou must still source this test through a private provider in the UK before departure, and quote the reference number on your Passenger Locator Form, in order to check-in for your flight.
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...locations/#U-Z
Available at private hospitals and private GPs.
Do note that pre-departure test certificates from the UK National Health Service are not accepted for international travel. Always check the certification requirements for all destinations in your itinerary before you fly.
For greater convenience, book your pre-departure Covid-19 test with our partner, Collinson.
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...locations/#U-Z
Available at private hospitals and private GPs.
Do note that pre-departure test certificates from the UK National Health Service are not accepted for international travel. Always check the certification requirements for all destinations in your itinerary before you fly.
For greater convenience, book your pre-departure Covid-19 test with our partner, Collinson.
Feb 6, 22, 9:12 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,392
The tests must be professionally administered. Home test kits and those you get from NHS aren't valid. There's an Express Test at LHR terminal 2 where SQ departs, the BA forum in FT have good feedback that results are emailed within half hour, in case it's more convenient for you.
