Singapore to Accept Digital COVID-19 Pass from Next Month

From next month, Singapore will become one of the first countries in the world to allow visitors to use a mobile /digital travel pass, containing certificates for COVID-19 tests and vaccines. 

As announced by Singapore&rsquos aviation regulator, Singapore will accept IATA mobile travel passes for pre-departure checks to approve their clearance to fly to and enter Singapore from next month.

These can be viewed on a smartphone app, and will contain passenger data from accredited laboratories.

READ New York Launches First Digital Vaccine Passport

The pass was successfully tested by Singapore Airlines and the same will serve as a beacon for other countries to follow. 

More than 20 carriers, including Malaysia, Qatar, and Emirates airlines are also testing the pass. 

The airlines hope that more countries will accept digital passes to avoid complications and delays at airports like running multiple checks on documents, etc.

Singapore, which has relatively few COVID-19 cases this year, wants to be among the first countries to reopen to host international events. Currently, travellers entering the country are required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 swab test within 72 hours of boarding flights in order to enter Singapore.