Following the trend set by many other countries throughout the world, the popular tourist destination of Singapore has officially ended all COVID-19 entry protocols for international visitors as of February 13, 2023. 

Though the country did slowly reopen its borders throughout 2022, allowing in visitors from some nations so long as they met certain requirements, those restrictions have now ended. 

As of February 14, 2023, visitors to Singapore can enter the country with:

• No proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• No COVID-19 testing requirement
• No mandatory travel medical insurance covering COVID-19
• No masks on planes or other public transport

Essentially, the sovereign island country and city-state of Singapore, which welcomed nearly 20 million international visitors in 2019, is now treating coronavirus as an endemic disease. 

According to Lawrence Wong, deputy prime minister and co-chair of Singapore’s virus taskforce, "Within Singapore our COVID situation has remained stable over the recent months, despite increased travel over the year-end holidays and China's shift from zero COVID.” “Our population has developed a high level of hybrid immunity,” Wong said in a media briefing on February 9. 

This will naturally come as welcome news to travelers, as Singapore is bound to once again become a top destination for international travel in 2023. 

Singapore Travel Insurance is Still Recommended

While it is true that Singapore has ended its mandatory insurance requirement and COVID is considered a lesser risk than it once was, proper insurance is still a must-have.

You’re just as likely to break a bone, twist an ankle, catch the flu, or get food poisoning now as you were before the pandemic. This is why, just as was the case before the pandemic, all international travelers should consider purchasing Singapore travel medical insurance. You will not be able to depend on your domestic health insurance while visiting another country. If you get sick or hurt and need medical treatment, the only way to control the size of the bill is with travel medical insurance. It is specifically designed to protect your health and your pocketbook while traveling abroad. It may no longer be mandatory for Singapore, but it is still essential.

For those mostly concerned with protecting their prepaid, nonrefundable travel costs in the case of a trip cancellation, Singapore travel insurance is the answer. It can provide trip cancellation coverage, as well as coverage for other common travel issues like trip interruption, travel delays, lost checked baggage, and even emergency medical care.

It’s now easier to enjoy everything that Singapore has to offer than it has been at any point since 2019. So, before you book your ticket and set off to Southeast Asia, be sure to have the right insurance looking after you. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy a carefree trip abroad.