SINGAPORE, 16 Feb (CNA)- Singapore on Wednesday (Feb 16) announced the launch of vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs) with Hong Kong and other regions.

VTL quotas will also be restored and progressively increased. In addition, authorities said they are streamlining border measures as part of a “pivot” in the country's travel policies.

Speaking at a multi-ministry task force press conference, Transport Minister S Iswaran said the VTLs, which allow quarantine-free travel for those who are fully vaccinated, were set up “as a pathfinder to establish, test and build confidence in reopening safely”.

“We made steady progress but had to take a pause due to Omicron,” he said, noting how Singapore deferred the launch of some VTLs late last year amid a rise in Omicron cases overseas.

Vaccinated travel pass (VTP) applications for travel from these four countries and regions will open at 10am on Feb 22.

The first VTL flights from these places will take place from Feb 25.

With that, the current unilateral opening arrangement for Hong Kong will cease, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in a separate media release.

Applications by short-term visitors for the air travel pass (ATP) for travel from Hong Kong to Singapore will stop from 11.59pm on Feb 17, and those with travel history to Hong Kong and are holding a valid ATP may enter Singapore up until 11.59pm on Feb 24.

The decision to launch a unilateral VTL with Hong Kong stems from the need to maintain connectivity, said Mr Iswaran.

The enhanced testing protocol requiring unsupervised self-swab ARTs on days 2 to 7 of arrival will also cease. Travellers will instead have to do only the pre-departure test and the on-arrival test.

Meanwhile, only work permit holders and short-term visitors eligible to travel via VTL land will have to apply for a VTP now. Other long-term pass holders will no longer have to apply for a VTP.

Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said discussions on expanding the quarantine-free travel arrangement with Malaysia to include private vehicles and bus coaches are still ongoing.

"It's something that we are discussing and when we are ready, we will make the appropriate announcement."