The Australian and Singaporean Governments have given the strongest indication yet that an announcement about travel between the two countries is imminent.
On Monday, Singapore Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said COVID-19 vaccination certificates would be a central part of the arrangement.
“We are exploring with several countries and regions, including Australia, on the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates. The certificates can be physical or digital, and we will need them to be secure, tamper-proof and verifiable,” said Minister Ye Kung
Australian newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, said Government sources have confirmed Singapore would be the next phase in Australia’s reopening following the recent resumption of travel between Australian and New Zealand.
Travel between Singapore and Australia is expected to resume by August, according to the Government sources. However, Australia’s slower vaccines rollout, relative to Singapore, could loom as an issue.
When asked about plans to allow travel between Singapore and Australia at a press conference today, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the Government has “looked at” Singapore along with Japan and South Korea.
“These things are regularly assessed by the chief medical officer and we have looked at patches like Singapore, and Japan, and South Korea and countries like this,” said the Prime Minister.