Sweden, Singapore, Canada and South Korea relax Covid border rules

Sweden removed all vaccination and testing requirements for international travellers from non-European Union (EU) countries on 1 April.

The country ended a temporary entry ban on non-essential travel the same day. The ban restricted travel from EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries until 28 February, and until 31 March for travellers from ‘third party’ countries.

Testing and vaccination requirements for visitors from the EU and EEA had previously been dropped for EU and EAA countries on 9 February, but the policy change was limited in impact due to the temporary entry ban.

The changes effectively return Sweden’s border rules to pre-pandemic norms, and comes as other European countries such as the UK and Ireland also return to standard border operations.

“We have already lifted the entry ban within the EU,” said Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Morgan Johansson. “Now the government has decided not to extend the entry ban from third countries. This will make it much easier for everyone who has been prevented from coming to Sweden in recent years due to the pandemic.”

Singapore relaxes quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers

Singapore also relaxed its Covid entry rules, with fully vaccinated travellers now able to enter without undergoing a mandatory quarantine period from 1 April. Children under the age of 12 can also enter the country regardless of vaccination status.

According to guidance by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are not permitted to enter Singapore unless they are a Singaporean citizen or permanent residency. Unvaccinated travellers who have been granted an exemption must undergo a one-week quarantine upon arrival, followed by a PCR test and a mandatory travel insurance purchase with a minimum of S$30,000 of medical coverage.

Following the change, flag carrier airlines Singapore Airlines and Scoot will no longer designate specific Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights from 1 April.

Canada loosens testing requirements for vaccinated travellers

Canada has loosened its federal testing requirements for international travel, with fully vaccinated travellers no longer required to submit a negative pre-entry Covid test prior to entry into the country.

Some passengers may still be subjected to mandatory, random PCR testing at airports, but will not be required to isolate while awaiting their results.

However, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are still not permitted to board any federally regulated transport into the country, including air, rail and maritime transport.

Travellers are still also required to submit proof of vaccination and other required information, including a potential quarantine plan via the government’s ArriveCAN app prior to arrival. Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status.

South Korea also eases quarantine requirements

South Korea has also waived quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors from 1 April, provided that they present valid certification proving their vaccination status.

Vaccinated travellers must still submit their personal and health information to the online Covid Q-Code system prior to travel however, as well as submit a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of travel.

Prior to the change, travellers of all vaccination statuses were required to undergo a mandatory one-week quarantine in a government-recommended facility. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals will still be required to submit for quarantine.