Singapore, Indonesia launching green lane for essential business and official travel

Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to set up a reciprocal green lane (RGL) for essential travel between the two countries.

Applications for the RGL will open on Oct 26 and travel will start soon after, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Monday (Oct 12).

Indonesian citizens as well as Singapore citizens and residents are eligible for the RGL, also referred to by Indonesia as the travel corridor arrangement, said MFA.

Travellers will have to abide by Covid-19 prevention and public health measures agreed by both countries, including pre-departure and post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests from mutually recognised health institutions.

Travellers will have to take the first PCR test 72 hours before departure, and the second test upon arrival at the airport or ferry terminal. Travellers will bear the costs of the tests.

Operational details regarding the RGL, including the procedural requirements, health protocols and application process will be announced “in due course”.

Applicants from Indonesia must have a sponsor from a government agency or enterprise in Singapore. Similarly, Singaporeans wanting to enter Indonesia must have a sponsor from the government or a business entity.

Singapore now has RGL arrangements for essential travel with China, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea and Japan.

It has also unilaterally lifted border restrictions for some visitors from Vietnam, Brunei, New Zealand, and Australia, excluding Victoria state.