Coronavirus: Singapore prepares to resume cross-border travel with South Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand

The city state is working with Australia, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand to resume essential trips in an effort to maintain supply chains

Lack of passenger flights has affected cargo capacities and disrupted supply chains for essential goods, says trade minister Chan Chun Sing

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Helix Bridge in central Singapore. Photo: Singapore Tourism Board

Published: 1:23pm, 1 May 2020Updated: 8:54pm, 25 Nov 2020

Singapore is working on guidelines with four other countries to prepare for the resumption of essential cross-border travel in an effort to maintain global supply chains during the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing held a video-conference session with trade ministers from Australia, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand on Friday, in which they reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate cross-border flows with each other, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said.

In a speech during the video-conference, Chan said that the lack of passenger flights had “also affected cargo capacities and led to a disruption in supply chain connectivity for essential goods for many countries”.

“These initiatives will not only help us overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also position us well for a swift recovery once the situation stabilises,” he said.

The ministers endorsed and launched a joint statement based on the one released on March 30 by the Group of 20 major economies, who had agreed to keep their markets open and ensure the continued flow of vital medical supplies, equipment and other essential goods.

The ministers also identified concrete actions to help lessen the impact of Covid-19 and will work together on the following: