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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 126 (from laksa092)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa126.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience","crawl_time":1776327677,"first_indexed_time":1638375407,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,sophiexsanders!www,\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience s443","src_root_hash":"4418188941224128726","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What It's Like Travelling to UK this Covid Season (on the VTL) — SOPHIE SANDERS | Yoga, IVF Support, Self Care Rituals","meta_descriptions":["My UK VTL experience plus useful resources\/links"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"UpdateS as at 17 Feb 2022:\nSince we came back, omnicron dominated the Covid newsfront. There’s been more rules and restrictions in place, with 7 days of testing for VTL flights back to Singapore, some supervised and additional PCR test, if travelling to the UK.\nHowever UK and Singapore has eased some restrictions since, and in light of our upcoming travel to the UK in Feb, I decided to post updates here whenever we do travel back to see family.\nTravelling to The UK\nFrom 11th Feb 2022 onwards, if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive. Neither will you need to quarantine.\nMasks will also not be legally required in any setting, except for enclosed or private spaces, but this will be a personal judgement. Masks will remain mandatory on all TfL services including the Tube.\nOnly travel requirement\nis to \ncomplete a passenger locator form\n 48 hours before you travel to England and get your\nvaccination certificate\nnotarised.\nPlus purchase\nCOVID travel insurance\nfor a peace of mind.\nReturning to SG via VTL\nFrom 21 Feb 2022, 2359h (SGT).\nLong-Term Pass holders (excluding Work Permit holders) are no longer required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP).\nAssessed travel history will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days\nOn-arrival PCR test at the airport will be replaced with a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC), to be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore.\nUnsupervised self-administered ARTs will no longer be required on Days 2 to 7 of arrival in Singapore.\nPre-departure test is exempted if below the age of three in this calendar year; OR recently recovered from COVID-19 and are eligible for pre-departure test waiver based on criteria outlined in this\nself-checker tool\n, and can show relevant proof of recovery outlined at\nStage 1F\n.\nSteps:\nTake a pre-departure PCR test\nor a professionally-administered\nAntigen Rapid Test (ART)\nwithin 2 days\nbefore departure for Singapore, unless\nexempted.\nWe used\nExpress Test\n, and paid GBP50 each for the\nFit to fly ART\n(You get the result on the spot, with confirmation QR code emailed within 40 min).\nSubmit the\nSG Arrival Card\nhealth and travel history declaration\nup to\n3 days\nbefore arriving in Singapore.\nDo a\nprofessionally administered ART test\nwithin 24 hours\nof arrival from Singapore. Click\nhere\nto search for the nearest test centre.\nReference:\nGov.Uk Travel Guidance\nLatest Rules for Face Coverings in UK\nSG VTL (air) Checklist\nContinue reading below for my first COVID travel experience.\nIf you didn't know this, I've been to UK and arrived safely back in Singapore. One moment we were bleary-eyed boarding the 1am flight and 13 hours later, we were breathing in cool crispy London air.\nIt's been about 21 months since we were on a plane and 3 years since my husband saw his parents in person.  So this was a much needed and long awaited visit.\nI know some countries have opened their borders despite the pandemic. Singapore has been very conservative in terms of its COVID measures. Mask -wearing is strictly mandatory and you must be double-vaccinated in order to dine and to enter shopping centres. \nFor more 3 months, we were only allowed to be gathered in groups of twos and finally as at  22 November - \nit's been increased to 5\n.\nQuarantine-Free Travel finally\nDuring the pandemic, it was possible to travel out of Singapore, but troublesome. You would need to be quarantined for up to 2-3 weeks depending on where you travelled from and the COVID situation. That means you’d need to fork out additional S$2K + for the hotel accommodations.\nThen the VTL was announced.\nVTL is a vaccinated travel lane\n, which allows fully vaccinated passengers to travel to Singapore without quarantine, provided they undergo several Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.\nThe VTL started off with Germany and Brunei in August, and then I believe US Vice-President Kamala Harris's visit in Aug 2021 was the catalyst that saw the implementation of the VTL flights for\nmore countries, including the UK\n.\ntravel anxiety\nThis, being our first time travelling during COVID, did put my anxiety on an all time high.\nBefore COVID, all we have to worry about when we travel is that we have enough baggage allowance, we have wifi where we are going and our luggage (plus ourselves) arrive safely at our destination.\nNow, in addition, I worried about\npossibly getting COVID (touch wood, otherwise trip will have to be deferred)\nbeing refused from boarding for some reason, or refused entry\nFilling up the forms wrong\nNot being able to breathe with the mask , on the plane\nDoing the wrong thing\nRules changing at the last minute causing us to be quarantine on either side\nMaybe it's just me.\nLao Tze did say this - “If you realise that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.”\nthe TRIP\nFLYING OFF\nThe process for the UK flight was fairly simple. We only had to do 2 things -\n(1) a COVID test\n, on or before the end of day 2, which you need to book in advance, as the booking reference is required in order to\ncomplete -\n(2)\na passenger locator form\n  (due 48 hours before departure).\nAt midnight, Changi Airport was a ghost town compared to pre-COVID, which just means you need to give up the idea of duty-free shopping.\nWe were on the new SQ350, which flew beautifully and it helped that we were in business, courtesy of my husband’s passion for collecting miles. And despite my worries, it was not a problem at all, wearing a mask on the plane. (\nMy husband swears by the Under armour mask and I prefer the Korean KN95 disposable masks.)\nHEATHROW AIRPORT\nHeathrow was almost fully functioning as there was a super long queue at UK immigration, but thankfully, with a Singapore passport, I was able to use the\ne-Gate\n, which means I could be with my UK-passport-totting husband .\nWe chose to do the PCR test upon arrival (day 0) at the airport, rather than wait for day 2, which was\nwell within the rules to get tested\n.\nIt was more expensive than doing your own test at home but we did it for 2 reasons.\nOne was for convenience, as we were already there, and what’s another queue since we were already in queues from the moment we landed. Secondly, we wanted his parents to feel safe, as we were living with them and they are in their 70s and have underlying conditions. We didn’t even remove our masks until we got our negative PCR test - that’s how careful we were.\nBEING IN THE UK IS LIKE..\nIf you ask me how was it like to be in the UK, it felt surreal. We both felt blessed that our family is healthy and that we are able to travel.\nWe didn’t do any sight seeing or meet with people because our main purpose goal was to be with family and to just test the ground, so to speak. We had dinner at the infamous Emperor (which is really good chinese) and found a new local pub. We did a Starbucks drive at 730am every morning without fail.  What we enjoyed most was being able to breath in fresh air while walking in the park without masks.\nBut being typical Singaporean, and having the mask-wearing habit ingrained, we wore our masks unless we are eating or there’s not many people around us. We did notice that half the peeps we see on the streets and in shops were not wearing masks. My sister in law mentioned that the local sentiment is most people want to forget COVID ever happened and want things to go back to normal.\n2 things we didn’t miss was scanning our trace together app and looking over our shoulder for the social distancing ambassadors!\nGOING HOME\nThe preparation to go home takes place 48 hours before.\nThere were 3 things we needed to check off our list:\n(1)\nPre-departure COVID test,\nwhich we pre-booked before we left for the UK.  All we had to do was show up at the centre with a QR code.\n(2)\nOn-Arrival COVID test,\nbooked via the\nChangi Safe Travel Concierge\n(3)\nSG Arrival and Health Declaration card,\nwhich needs to be completed 3 days before arrival date either via\nChangi Safe Travel Concierge\nor\nICA site\nWith a blink of an eye, we were home.\nSingapore immigration was a breeze and we only had follow the signs to the COVID testing centre which was located outside of the terminal. There was a line, but it moved fairly quickly considered we were herded like sheep.\nSide note: if you are booking a Grab home from terminal 3, make sure that you tell them to wait at Door 1, ours was at Door 5, and unfortunately, being the “sheep” that we are, the rest of the doors were blocked off.\nWHAT IT COST US\nIn case you are interested, we paid additional\nS$1209.34,\non top of the flights to fly to the UK:\nAIG Insurance (which covers both of us and COVID-related medical) S$344\nDay 2 COVID-19 PCR test with Express Test @ Heathrow T2 Arrivals GBP69 x 2\nPre-departure COVID Test (Fit to Fly PCR test) with Express Test @ Croydon Centrale GBP80 x 2\nOn-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test S$160 x 2 (includes GST)\nWhat to take note of when travelling during Covid\nSo that’s it! That was my experience travelling to the UK in the November of2021. There’s always the fear of travel rules changing and as I’m writing this, there’s a new COVID variant emerging called\nOmnicron\n.\nIn light of that, from Dec 2 2021,  travellers to Singapore will have to do 4 COVID tests - the pre departure test 48 hours prior, an on-arrival COVID test and 2 ART test on Day 3 and Day 7.\nWe don’t know yet what’s the impact this will have on future travelling, and if there are going to be more changes. So the information might be out of date soon.\nI suggest your ears on the ground for the latest and check out the resources below for a more updated travel advice.  I can recommend that you read\nMilelion\n‘s blog - he seems to have a grip on latest COVID travel happenings.\nI really feel for those who’s travelling these holidays to be with family, with these uncertainties looming over their heads.\nI remember having to double check and triple check information just in case -  it was so stressful. And so I can imagine how you must feel.\nI pray that everything will work out as it should.\nTwenty years from now\nYou’ll be more disappointed\nBy the things you didn’t do\nThan by the ones you did do.\nSo throw off the bowlines.\nSail away from the harbor.\nCatch the trade winds in your sails.\nExplore.\nDream.\nDiscover.\n– H. Jackson Brown","attrs_markdown":"[1x1](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/1x1)\n\n[START HERE](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/start-here)\n\n[MEET SOPHIE](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/meet-sophie)\n\n[Yoga](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/yoga)\n\n[FERTILITY](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/fertility)\n\n[BLOG](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog)\n\n# [![SOPHIE SANDERS \\| Yoga, IVF Support, Self Care Rituals](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/c38b6ee4-61b7-4ec0-9f79-bdca8495d52e\/Logo+2024.png?format=1500w)](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/)\n[1x1](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/1x1)\n\n[START HERE](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/start-here)\n\n[MEET SOPHIE](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/meet-sophie)\n\n[Yoga](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/yoga)\n\n[FERTILITY](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/fertility)\n\n[BLOG](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog)\n\n- [Filter]()\n- [All](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog)\n- [Baptiste Yoga](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Baptiste+Yoga)\n- [Braving Infertility](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Braving+Infertility)\n- [Inspiration](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Inspiration)\n- [Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Lifestyle)\n- [Move & Breathe](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Move+%26+Breathe)\n- [Personal Growth](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Personal+Growth)\n- [Teachers' Toolkit](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Teachers%27+Toolkit)\n- [Women's Health](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Women%27s+Health)\n- [Yoga Education](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Yoga+Education)\n\n[November 29, 2021](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience)\n\n[Sophie Sanders](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e)\n\n[Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Lifestyle)\n# [What It's Like Travelling to UK this Covid Season (on the VTL)](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience)\n[November 29, 2021](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience)\n\n[Sophie Sanders](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e)\n\n[Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Lifestyle)\n\n### **UpdateS as at 17 Feb 2022:**\nSince we came back, omnicron dominated the Covid newsfront. There’s been more rules and restrictions in place, with 7 days of testing for VTL flights back to Singapore, some supervised and additional PCR test, if travelling to the UK.\n\nHowever UK and Singapore has eased some restrictions since, and in light of our upcoming travel to the UK in Feb, I decided to post updates here whenever we do travel back to see family.\n\n### Travelling to The UK\nFrom 11th Feb 2022 onwards, if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive. Neither will you need to quarantine.\n\nMasks will also not be legally required in any setting, except for enclosed or private spaces, but this will be a personal judgement. Masks will remain mandatory on all TfL services including the Tube.\n\n**Only travel requirement** is to [complete a passenger locator form](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) 48 hours before you travel to England and get your [vaccination certificate](https:\/\/www.notarise.gov.sg\/) notarised.\n\nPlus purchase [COVID travel insurance](https:\/\/blog.moneysmart.sg\/travel-insurance\/best-travel-insurance-singapore\/) for a peace of mind.\n\n### Returning to SG via VTL\nFrom 21 Feb 2022, 2359h (SGT).\n\n- *Long-Term Pass holders (excluding Work Permit holders) are no longer required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP).*\n- *Assessed travel history will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days*\n- *On-arrival PCR test at the airport will be replaced with a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC), to be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore.*\n- *Unsupervised self-administered ARTs will no longer be required on Days 2 to 7 of arrival in Singapore.*\n- *Pre-departure test is exempted if below the age of three in this calendar year; OR recently recovered from COVID-19 and are eligible for pre-departure test waiver based on criteria outlined in this* [*self-checker tool*](https:\/\/go.gov.sg\/recovered-traveller-checker)*, and can show relevant proof of recovery outlined at* [*Stage 1F*](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/vtl\/travel-checklist#1F)*.*\n\n**Steps:**\n\n1. **Take a pre-departure PCR test** or a professionally-administered **Antigen Rapid Test (ART)** within 2 days before departure for Singapore, unless [exempted.](https:\/\/www.checkfirst.gov.sg\/c\/7f36b15e-3d3d-4b95-a904-7a5de6c6ddfb) We used[**Express Test**](https:\/\/www.expresstest.co.uk\/), and paid GBP50 each for the **Fit to fly ART***(You get the result on the spot, with confirmation QR code emailed within 40 min).*\n2. Submit the [**SG Arrival Card**](https:\/\/eservices.ica.gov.sg\/sgarrivalcard\/) **health and travel history declaration** up to 3 days before arriving in Singapore.\n3. Do a **professionally administered ART test** within 24 hours of arrival from Singapore. Click [**here**](https:\/\/www.gowhere.gov.sg\/testcentres)to search for the nearest test centre.\n\n***Reference:***\n\n[Gov.Uk Travel Guidance](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#changes-to-international-travel-rules-from-11-february-2022)\n\n[Latest Rules for Face Coverings in UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/health-51205344)\n\n[SG VTL (air) Checklist](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/vtl\/travel-checklist)\n\n### Continue reading below for my first COVID travel experience.\n\n![](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/4d9332da-bb13-47af-ae2c-ef9eb8c20105\/heidi-fin-QvPRGI8LfOc-unsplash.jpg)\n\nPhoto by [Heidi Fin](https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@heidifin?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/united-kingdom?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText)\n\nIf you didn't know this, I've been to UK and arrived safely back in Singapore. One moment we were bleary-eyed boarding the 1am flight and 13 hours later, we were breathing in cool crispy London air.\n\nIt's been about 21 months since we were on a plane and 3 years since my husband saw his parents in person. So this was a much needed and long awaited visit.\n\nI know some countries have opened their borders despite the pandemic. Singapore has been very conservative in terms of its COVID measures. Mask -wearing is strictly mandatory and you must be double-vaccinated in order to dine and to enter shopping centres.\n\nFor more 3 months, we were only allowed to be gathered in groups of twos and finally as at 22 November -  [it's been increased to 5](https:\/\/www.moh.gov.sg\/covid-19-phase-advisory).\n\n### Quarantine-Free Travel finally\nDuring the pandemic, it was possible to travel out of Singapore, but troublesome. You would need to be quarantined for up to 2-3 weeks depending on where you travelled from and the COVID situation. That means you’d need to fork out additional S\\$2K + for the hotel accommodations.\n\nThen the VTL was announced.\n\n**VTL is a vaccinated travel lane**, which allows fully vaccinated passengers to travel to Singapore without quarantine, provided they undergo several Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.\n\nThe VTL started off with Germany and Brunei in August, and then I believe US Vice-President Kamala Harris's visit in Aug 2021 was the catalyst that saw the implementation of the VTL flights for [more countries, including the UK](https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/singapore\/singapore-extend-vaccinated-travel-lane-scheme-eight-more-countries-including-us-uk-spain-2232501).\n\n### travel anxiety\nThis, being our first time travelling during COVID, did put my anxiety on an all time high.\n\nBefore COVID, all we have to worry about when we travel is that we have enough baggage allowance, we have wifi where we are going and our luggage (plus ourselves) arrive safely at our destination.\n\nNow, in addition, I worried about\n\n- possibly getting COVID (touch wood, otherwise trip will have to be deferred)\n- being refused from boarding for some reason, or refused entry\n- Filling up the forms wrong\n- Not being able to breathe with the mask , on the plane\n- Doing the wrong thing\n- Rules changing at the last minute causing us to be quarantine on either side\n\nMaybe it's just me.\n\n> Lao Tze did say this - “If you realise that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.”\n### the TRIP\n**FLYING OFF**\n\nThe process for the UK flight was fairly simple. We only had to do 2 things -\n\n**(1) a COVID test**, on or before the end of day 2, which you need to book in advance, as the booking reference is required in order tocomplete -\n\n**(2)**  [**a passenger locator form**](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) (due 48 hours before departure).\n\nAt midnight, Changi Airport was a ghost town compared to pre-COVID, which just means you need to give up the idea of duty-free shopping.\n\nWe were on the new SQ350, which flew beautifully and it helped that we were in business, courtesy of my husband’s passion for collecting miles. And despite my worries, it was not a problem at all, wearing a mask on the plane. (*My husband swears by the Under armour mask and I prefer the Korean KN95 disposable masks.)*\n\n**HEATHROW AIRPORT**\n\nHeathrow was almost fully functioning as there was a super long queue at UK immigration, but thankfully, with a Singapore passport, I was able to use the [e-Gate](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/coming-to-the-uk\/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border), which means I could be with my UK-passport-totting husband .\n\nWe chose to do the PCR test upon arrival (day 0) at the airport, rather than wait for day 2, which was [well within the rules to get tested](https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2021\/11\/27\/updated-guidance-on-day-2-tests).It was more expensive than doing your own test at home but we did it for 2 reasons.\n\nOne was for convenience, as we were already there, and what’s another queue since we were already in queues from the moment we landed. Secondly, we wanted his parents to feel safe, as we were living with them and they are in their 70s and have underlying conditions. We didn’t even remove our masks until we got our negative PCR test - that’s how careful we were.\n\n**BEING IN THE UK IS LIKE..**\n\nIf you ask me how was it like to be in the UK, it felt surreal. We both felt blessed that our family is healthy and that we are able to travel.\n\nWe didn’t do any sight seeing or meet with people because our main purpose goal was to be with family and to just test the ground, so to speak. We had dinner at the infamous Emperor (which is really good chinese) and found a new local pub. We did a Starbucks drive at 730am every morning without fail. What we enjoyed most was being able to breath in fresh air while walking in the park without masks.\n\nBut being typical Singaporean, and having the mask-wearing habit ingrained, we wore our masks unless we are eating or there’s not many people around us. We did notice that half the peeps we see on the streets and in shops were not wearing masks. My sister in law mentioned that the local sentiment is most people want to forget COVID ever happened and want things to go back to normal.\n\n2 things we didn’t miss was scanning our trace together app and looking over our shoulder for the social distancing ambassadors\\!\n\n[![65de381a-91d4-498e-96a3-bdd51908e1c1.JPG](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638344541467-1FYHNRP2BA0MWRAAAFSM\/65de381a-91d4-498e-96a3-bdd51908e1c1.JPG)![65de381a-91d4-498e-96a3-bdd51908e1c1.JPG]()]()\n\n[![8a8978ea-65c7-49e4-b111-2aeb3496a5a1.JPG](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638344062920-JWLNZNHMP2NKW9I11MM4\/8a8978ea-65c7-49e4-b111-2aeb3496a5a1.JPG)![8a8978ea-65c7-49e4-b111-2aeb3496a5a1.JPG]()]()\n\n[![IMG\\_8282.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638344123961-T9KZ084V0GMXTA4AIY9V\/IMG_8282.jpg)![IMG\\_8282.jpg]()]()\n\n[![IMG\\_8353.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638345222412-RMJB7SZY9LOT13E92DLF\/IMG_8353.jpg)![IMG\\_8353.jpg]()]()\n\n[![IMG\\_8355.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638345221620-Q0XKHRTJJMQ8GWSYFFL1\/IMG_8355.jpg)![IMG\\_8355.jpg]()]()\n\n[![a370f5ea-e76e-4620-a0d5-df4b89777f7a.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638345304540-ARQ1HGH7H09EJUZ77XCI\/a370f5ea-e76e-4620-a0d5-df4b89777f7a.jpg)![a370f5ea-e76e-4620-a0d5-df4b89777f7a.jpg]()]()\n\n[![IMG\\_8086.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638344645712-LC7CRC4OYWRQWTR9HSLF\/IMG_8086.jpg)![IMG\\_8086.jpg]()]()\n\n[![IMG\\_8045.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638343970500-B933J36M806BCR29IHRX\/IMG_8045.jpg)![IMG\\_8045.jpg]()]()\n\n[![IMG\\_8062.jpg](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1638343716936-FJPO6OSSCE2V8VCNABZ0\/IMG_8062.jpg)![IMG\\_8062.jpg]()]()\n\n**GOING HOME**\n\nThe preparation to go home takes place 48 hours before.\n\nThere were 3 things we needed to check off our list:\n\n(1) **Pre-departure COVID test,** which we pre-booked before we left for the UK. All we had to do was show up at the centre with a QR code.\n\n(2) **On-Arrival COVID test,** booked via the [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https:\/\/safetravel.changiairport.com#\/)\n\n(3) **SG Arrival and Health Declaration card,** which needs to be completed 3 days before arrival date either via [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https:\/\/safetravel.changiairport.com#\/) or [ICA site](https:\/\/www.ica.gov.sg\/enter-depart\/entry_requirements\/sg-arrival-card)\n\nWith a blink of an eye, we were home.\n\nSingapore immigration was a breeze and we only had follow the signs to the COVID testing centre which was located outside of the terminal. There was a line, but it moved fairly quickly considered we were herded like sheep.\n\n*Side note: if you are booking a Grab home from terminal 3, make sure that you tell them to wait at Door 1, ours was at Door 5, and unfortunately, being the “sheep” that we are, the rest of the doors were blocked off.*\n\n### WHAT IT COST US\nIn case you are interested, we paid additional  **S\\$1209.34,** on top of the flights to fly to the UK:\n\n- AIG Insurance (which covers both of us and COVID-related medical) S\\$344\n- Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test with Express Test @ Heathrow T2 Arrivals GBP69 x 2\n- Pre-departure COVID Test (Fit to Fly PCR test) with Express Test @ Croydon Centrale GBP80 x 2\n- On-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test S\\$160 x 2 (includes GST)\n### What to take note of when travelling during Covid\nSo that’s it! That was my experience travelling to the UK in the November of2021. There’s always the fear of travel rules changing and as I’m writing this, there’s a new COVID variant emerging called [Omnicron](https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/health\/medical\/omicron-vs-delta-how-the-new-covid-variant-is-different\/).\n\nIn light of that, from Dec 2 2021, travellers to Singapore will have to do 4 COVID tests - the pre departure test 48 hours prior, an on-arrival COVID test and 2 ART test on Day 3 and Day 7.\n\nWe don’t know yet what’s the impact this will have on future travelling, and if there are going to be more changes. So the information might be out of date soon.\n\nI suggest your ears on the ground for the latest and check out the resources below for a more updated travel advice. I can recommend that you read [Milelion](https:\/\/milelion.com\/tag\/vtl) ‘s blog - he seems to have a grip on latest COVID travel happenings.\n\nI really feel for those who’s travelling these holidays to be with family, with these uncertainties looming over their heads.\n\nI remember having to double check and triple check information just in case - it was so stressful. And so I can imagine how you must feel.\n\nI pray that everything will work out as it should.\n\n*Twenty years from now*\n\n*You’ll be more disappointed*\n\n*By the things you didn’t do*\n\n*Than by the ones you did do.*\n\n*So throw off the bowlines.*\n\n*Sail away from the harbor.*\n\n*Catch the trade winds in your sails.*\n\n*Explore.*\n\n*Dream.*\n\n*Discover.*\n\n***– H. Jackson Brown***\n***\n**OMNICRON LATEST**\n\n[New VTL Omnicron COVID 19 Measures as at Dec 2, 2021](https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/singapore\/omicron-covid-19-vtl-art-test-air-travellers-moh-2347241)\n\n\\*\\*[Milelion’s VTL Updates](https:\/\/milelion.com\/tag\/vtl)\n***\n**IMPORTANT LINKS**\n\n[Notarise](https:\/\/www.notarise.gov.sg\/) *(for the authentication of your SG vaccination cert and health certifcate)*\n\n[Express Test UK](https:\/\/www.expresstest.co.uk\/) *(There’s a lot of accredited COVID test provided but the hubby chose Express Test as they had a service at the airport and we used the same chain to do the return testing for convenience and because it’s close to London)*\n\n[UK Passenger Locator Form](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk)*(remember to book your COVID test first as a booking reference is required to complete the form)*\n\n[SG On-Arrival COVID Test](https:\/\/safetravel.changiairport.com#\/)\n\n[SG Arrival and Health Declaration Card](https:\/\/www.ica.gov.sg\/enter-depart\/entry_requirements\/sg-arrival-card)\n\n[AIG COVID Travel Insurance](https:\/\/www.aig.sg\/personal\/more-insurance\/singapore-travel-assist) *(Travel insurance is not compulsory, but it was something we did pre-COVID, so why skip it right? Click* [*here*](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/health\/insurance-and-treatment#insurance) *for a list of other insurers)*\n***\n**GUIDANCE FOR TRAVELLING TO THE UK**\n\n[Quarantine-Free Travel from Singapore to the UK and Back.](https:\/\/www.changiairport.com\/en\/airport-guide\/Covid-19\/VTL\/uk.html#fromsingapore)\n\n[UK COVID Health requirements\/Restrictions](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do)\n\n[Requirements for Inbound Travellers to the UK](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19)\n\n[List of UK COVID Test Providers](https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2021\/10\/28\/uk-day-2-tests-everything-you-need-to-know-including-the-cheapest-provider)\n\n[COVID Testing options at Heathrow](https:\/\/www.heathrow.com\/at-the-airport\/fly-safe\/covid-19-test)\n\n[Option to Book either a LFD or a PCR test for your UK on-arrival test](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/lateral-flow-tests-to-be-introduced-for-vaccinated-international-arrivals)  *(if you are fully vaccinated)*\n\n[No Visa requirements for Singaporeans entering the UK](https:\/\/www.mfa.gov.sg\/countries-regions\/u\/united-kingdom\/travel-page) *for tourism and for less than 6 months*\n\n[Singaporeans are eligible to use e-gates for quicker automated immigration clearance](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/coming-to-the-uk\/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border%20)\n\n[Mask requirement in UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-51205344.amp)\n\n[Type of Facemask](https:\/\/www.wired.co.uk\/article\/best-face-masks)\n***\n**OTHER USEFUL COVID TRAVEL RESOURCES**\n\n[Vaccinated Travel Lane Review](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/vtl\/requirements-and-process)\n\n[List of countries approved on the VTL](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/vtl\/requirements-and-process)\n\n[VTL countries COVID Travel Requirements](https:\/\/www.singaporeair.com\/en_UK\/sg\/travel-info\/vaccinated-travel-lanes\/)*(but do due diligence to check the respective destination country’s requirements\/news on travellers departing from Singapore.)*\n\n[Travelling with unvaccinated kids 12 and below](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/files\/CAAS_Vaccinated%20Travel%20Lane%20to%20Include%20Children%20Aged%2012%20and%20Below%20to%20Facilitate%20Family%20Travel_11%20Oct%202021.pdf)\n\n[Health measures and Requirements for a non-VTL flight](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/shn-and-swab-summary#from)\n\n[If you are a long term pass holders, work pass holders, student pass holders, and returning to Singapore, click here](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/arriving\/overview)\n\n[Approval not required to Leave Singapore](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/departing\/overview#advisories)\n\n[Health control measures for Inbound Travellers to Singapore](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/health)\n\n[Current COVID Safety Measures\/Restrictions in Singapore](https:\/\/www.moh.gov.sg\/covid-19-phase-advisory)\n***\n**TRAVEL BLOGS**\n\n[VTL with kids](https:\/\/www.sassymamasg.com\/vaccinated-travel-lane-vtl-family-kids\/)\n\n[VTL Germany Experience](https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/cna-insider\/we-travelled-germany-without-stay-home-notice-quarantine-vtl-what-you-need-know-2190896)\n\n[Milelion's VTL Korean Experience](https:\/\/milelion.com\/2021\/11\/19\/south-korea-vtl-arrivals-process-at-seoul-incheon-my-experience\/?fbclid=IwAR2AlZWSqUimJXl0wZi7ztmUBsM7KKJPx8tS959KJqc7fx4VkJf5oYRLzMU)\n\n[Milelion’s VTL Germany Experience](https:\/\/milelion.com\/2021\/09\/08\/germany-vtl-my-experience-with-covid-19-rules-regulations-and-life-in-munich\/)\n***\n\n[November 29, 2021](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience)\n\n[Sophie Sanders](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e)\n\n[Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/category\/Lifestyle)\n\nTagged: [covid travel](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/covid+travel), [covid-19](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/covid-19), [vaccinated travel lane](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/vaccinated+travel+lane), [Singapore](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/Singapore), [VTL](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/VTL), [travel tips](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/travel+tips), [Holidays](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/Holidays), [covid holiday](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/covid+holiday), [VTL UK Experience](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/VTL+UK+Experience), [travel quotes](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/tag\/travel+quotes)\n### [Sophie Sanders](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e)\n\n[May your Days be Filled with Gratitude and Abundance](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/gratitude-and-abundance)\n\n[Be Extra Loving Everyday](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/be-extra-loving-everyday)\n\n[Back To Top](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/blog\/2021\/my-uk-vtl-experience#header)\n\n[START HERE](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/start-here)\n\n[MEET SOPHIE](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/meet-sophie)\n\n[YOGA](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/yoga)\n\n[CONTACT](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/contact)\n\n![Pineapple Logo.png](https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077\/1527535681892-JGI64NC1O0QPF6XH06F2\/Pineapple+Logo.png)\n\nSite by[M](http:\/\/magicandmondays.com\/)[AGIC + MONDAYS](http:\/\/magicandmondays.com\/) \\| [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/privacy-policy)\n\n[Cart (0)](https:\/\/www.sophiexsanders.com\/cart)","attrs_readable_markdown":"### **UpdateS as at 17 Feb 2022:**\nSince we came back, omnicron dominated the Covid newsfront. There’s been more rules and restrictions in place, with 7 days of testing for VTL flights back to Singapore, some supervised and additional PCR test, if travelling to the UK.\n\nHowever UK and Singapore has eased some restrictions since, and in light of our upcoming travel to the UK in Feb, I decided to post updates here whenever we do travel back to see family.\n\n### Travelling to The UK\nFrom 11th Feb 2022 onwards, if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive. Neither will you need to quarantine.\n\nMasks will also not be legally required in any setting, except for enclosed or private spaces, but this will be a personal judgement. Masks will remain mandatory on all TfL services including the Tube.\n\n**Only travel requirement** is to [complete a passenger locator form](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) 48 hours before you travel to England and get your [vaccination certificate](https:\/\/www.notarise.gov.sg\/) notarised.\n\nPlus purchase [COVID travel insurance](https:\/\/blog.moneysmart.sg\/travel-insurance\/best-travel-insurance-singapore\/) for a peace of mind.\n\n### Returning to SG via VTL\nFrom 21 Feb 2022, 2359h (SGT).\n\n- *Long-Term Pass holders (excluding Work Permit holders) are no longer required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP).*\n- *Assessed travel history will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days*\n- *On-arrival PCR test at the airport will be replaced with a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC), to be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore.*\n- *Unsupervised self-administered ARTs will no longer be required on Days 2 to 7 of arrival in Singapore.*\n- *Pre-departure test is exempted if below the age of three in this calendar year; OR recently recovered from COVID-19 and are eligible for pre-departure test waiver based on criteria outlined in this* [*self-checker tool*](https:\/\/go.gov.sg\/recovered-traveller-checker)*, and can show relevant proof of recovery outlined at* [*Stage 1F*](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/vtl\/travel-checklist#1F)*.*\n\n**Steps:**\n\n1. **Take a pre-departure PCR test** or a professionally-administered **Antigen Rapid Test (ART)** within 2 days before departure for Singapore, unless [exempted.](https:\/\/www.checkfirst.gov.sg\/c\/7f36b15e-3d3d-4b95-a904-7a5de6c6ddfb) We used[**Express Test**](https:\/\/www.expresstest.co.uk\/), and paid GBP50 each for the **Fit to fly ART***(You get the result on the spot, with confirmation QR code emailed within 40 min).*\n2. Submit the [**SG Arrival Card**](https:\/\/eservices.ica.gov.sg\/sgarrivalcard\/) **health and travel history declaration** up to 3 days before arriving in Singapore.\n3. Do a **professionally administered ART test** within 24 hours of arrival from Singapore. Click [**here**](https:\/\/www.gowhere.gov.sg\/testcentres)to search for the nearest test centre.\n\n***Reference:***\n\n[Gov.Uk Travel Guidance](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#changes-to-international-travel-rules-from-11-february-2022)\n\n[Latest Rules for Face Coverings in UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/health-51205344)\n\n[SG VTL (air) Checklist](https:\/\/safetravel.ica.gov.sg\/vtl\/travel-checklist)\n\n### Continue reading below for my first COVID travel experience.\n\nIf you didn't know this, I've been to UK and arrived safely back in Singapore. One moment we were bleary-eyed boarding the 1am flight and 13 hours later, we were breathing in cool crispy London air.\n\nIt's been about 21 months since we were on a plane and 3 years since my husband saw his parents in person. So this was a much needed and long awaited visit.\n\nI know some countries have opened their borders despite the pandemic. Singapore has been very conservative in terms of its COVID measures. Mask -wearing is strictly mandatory and you must be double-vaccinated in order to dine and to enter shopping centres.\n\nFor more 3 months, we were only allowed to be gathered in groups of twos and finally as at 22 November -  [it's been increased to 5](https:\/\/www.moh.gov.sg\/covid-19-phase-advisory).\n\n### Quarantine-Free Travel finally\nDuring the pandemic, it was possible to travel out of Singapore, but troublesome. You would need to be quarantined for up to 2-3 weeks depending on where you travelled from and the COVID situation. That means you’d need to fork out additional S\\$2K + for the hotel accommodations.\n\nThen the VTL was announced.\n\n**VTL is a vaccinated travel lane**, which allows fully vaccinated passengers to travel to Singapore without quarantine, provided they undergo several Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.\n\nThe VTL started off with Germany and Brunei in August, and then I believe US Vice-President Kamala Harris's visit in Aug 2021 was the catalyst that saw the implementation of the VTL flights for [more countries, including the UK](https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/singapore\/singapore-extend-vaccinated-travel-lane-scheme-eight-more-countries-including-us-uk-spain-2232501).\n\n### travel anxiety\nThis, being our first time travelling during COVID, did put my anxiety on an all time high.\n\nBefore COVID, all we have to worry about when we travel is that we have enough baggage allowance, we have wifi where we are going and our luggage (plus ourselves) arrive safely at our destination.\n\nNow, in addition, I worried about\n\n- possibly getting COVID (touch wood, otherwise trip will have to be deferred)\n- being refused from boarding for some reason, or refused entry\n- Filling up the forms wrong\n- Not being able to breathe with the mask , on the plane\n- Doing the wrong thing\n- Rules changing at the last minute causing us to be quarantine on either side\n\nMaybe it's just me.\n\n> Lao Tze did say this - “If you realise that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.”\n### the TRIP\n**FLYING OFF**\n\nThe process for the UK flight was fairly simple. We only had to do 2 things -\n\n**(1) a COVID test**, on or before the end of day 2, which you need to book in advance, as the booking reference is required in order tocomplete -\n\n**(2)**  [**a passenger locator form**](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) (due 48 hours before departure).\n\nAt midnight, Changi Airport was a ghost town compared to pre-COVID, which just means you need to give up the idea of duty-free shopping.\n\nWe were on the new SQ350, which flew beautifully and it helped that we were in business, courtesy of my husband’s passion for collecting miles. And despite my worries, it was not a problem at all, wearing a mask on the plane. (*My husband swears by the Under armour mask and I prefer the Korean KN95 disposable masks.)*\n\n**HEATHROW AIRPORT**\n\nHeathrow was almost fully functioning as there was a super long queue at UK immigration, but thankfully, with a Singapore passport, I was able to use the [e-Gate](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/coming-to-the-uk\/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border), which means I could be with my UK-passport-totting husband .\n\nWe chose to do the PCR test upon arrival (day 0) at the airport, rather than wait for day 2, which was [well within the rules to get tested](https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2021\/11\/27\/updated-guidance-on-day-2-tests).It was more expensive than doing your own test at home but we did it for 2 reasons.\n\nOne was for convenience, as we were already there, and what’s another queue since we were already in queues from the moment we landed. Secondly, we wanted his parents to feel safe, as we were living with them and they are in their 70s and have underlying conditions. We didn’t even remove our masks until we got our negative PCR test - that’s how careful we were.\n\n**BEING IN THE UK IS LIKE..**\n\nIf you ask me how was it like to be in the UK, it felt surreal. We both felt blessed that our family is healthy and that we are able to travel.\n\nWe didn’t do any sight seeing or meet with people because our main purpose goal was to be with family and to just test the ground, so to speak. We had dinner at the infamous Emperor (which is really good chinese) and found a new local pub. We did a Starbucks drive at 730am every morning without fail. What we enjoyed most was being able to breath in fresh air while walking in the park without masks.\n\nBut being typical Singaporean, and having the mask-wearing habit ingrained, we wore our masks unless we are eating or there’s not many people around us. We did notice that half the peeps we see on the streets and in shops were not wearing masks. My sister in law mentioned that the local sentiment is most people want to forget COVID ever happened and want things to go back to normal.\n\n2 things we didn’t miss was scanning our trace together app and looking over our shoulder for the social distancing ambassadors\\!\n\n**GOING HOME**\n\nThe preparation to go home takes place 48 hours before.\n\nThere were 3 things we needed to check off our list:\n\n(1) **Pre-departure COVID test,** which we pre-booked before we left for the UK. All we had to do was show up at the centre with a QR code.\n\n(2) **On-Arrival COVID test,** booked via the [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https:\/\/safetravel.changiairport.com#\/)\n\n(3) **SG Arrival and Health Declaration card,** which needs to be completed 3 days before arrival date either via [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https:\/\/safetravel.changiairport.com#\/) or [ICA site](https:\/\/www.ica.gov.sg\/enter-depart\/entry_requirements\/sg-arrival-card)\n\nWith a blink of an eye, we were home.\n\nSingapore immigration was a breeze and we only had follow the signs to the COVID testing centre which was located outside of the terminal. There was a line, but it moved fairly quickly considered we were herded like sheep.\n\n*Side note: if you are booking a Grab home from terminal 3, make sure that you tell them to wait at Door 1, ours was at Door 5, and unfortunately, being the “sheep” that we are, the rest of the doors were blocked off.*\n\n### WHAT IT COST US\nIn case you are interested, we paid additional  **S\\$1209.34,** on top of the flights to fly to the UK:\n\n- AIG Insurance (which covers both of us and COVID-related medical) S\\$344\n- Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test with Express Test @ Heathrow T2 Arrivals GBP69 x 2\n- Pre-departure COVID Test (Fit to Fly PCR test) with Express Test @ Croydon Centrale GBP80 x 2\n- On-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test S\\$160 x 2 (includes GST)\n### What to take note of when travelling during Covid\nSo that’s it! That was my experience travelling to the UK in the November of2021. There’s always the fear of travel rules changing and as I’m writing this, there’s a new COVID variant emerging called [Omnicron](https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/health\/medical\/omicron-vs-delta-how-the-new-covid-variant-is-different\/).\n\nIn light of that, from Dec 2 2021, travellers to Singapore will have to do 4 COVID tests - the pre departure test 48 hours prior, an on-arrival COVID test and 2 ART test on Day 3 and Day 7.\n\nWe don’t know yet what’s the impact this will have on future travelling, and if there are going to be more changes. So the information might be out of date soon.\n\nI suggest your ears on the ground for the latest and check out the resources below for a more updated travel advice. I can recommend that you read [Milelion](https:\/\/milelion.com\/tag\/vtl) ‘s blog - he seems to have a grip on latest COVID travel happenings.\n\nI really feel for those who’s travelling these holidays to be with family, with these uncertainties looming over their heads.\n\nI remember having to double check and triple check information just in case - it was so stressful. And so I can imagine how you must feel.\n\nI pray that everything will work out as it should.\n\n*Twenty years from now*\n\n*You’ll be more disappointed*\n\n*By the things you didn’t do*\n\n*Than by the ones you did do.*\n\n*So throw off the bowlines.*\n\n*Sail away from the harbor.*\n\n*Catch the trade winds in your sails.*\n\n*Explore.*\n\n*Dream.*\n\n*Discover.*\n\n***– H. Jackson Brown***","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	What It's Like Travelling to UK this Covid Season (on the VTL) — SOPHIE SANDERS \| Yoga, IVF Support, Self Care Rituals
Meta Description	My UK VTL experience plus useful resources/links
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Boilerpipe Text	UpdateS as at 17 Feb 2022: Since we came back, omnicron dominated the Covid newsfront. There’s been more rules and restrictions in place, with 7 days of testing for VTL flights back to Singapore, some supervised and additional PCR test, if travelling to the UK. However UK and Singapore has eased some restrictions since, and in light of our upcoming travel to the UK in Feb, I decided to post updates here whenever we do travel back to see family. Travelling to The UK From 11th Feb 2022 onwards, if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive. Neither will you need to quarantine. Masks will also not be legally required in any setting, except for enclosed or private spaces, but this will be a personal judgement. Masks will remain mandatory on all TfL services including the Tube. Only travel requirement is to complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before you travel to England and get your vaccination certificate notarised. Plus purchase COVID travel insurance for a peace of mind. Returning to SG via VTL From 21 Feb 2022, 2359h (SGT). Long-Term Pass holders (excluding Work Permit holders) are no longer required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP). Assessed travel history will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days On-arrival PCR test at the airport will be replaced with a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC), to be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. Unsupervised self-administered ARTs will no longer be required on Days 2 to 7 of arrival in Singapore. Pre-departure test is exempted if below the age of three in this calendar year; OR recently recovered from COVID-19 and are eligible for pre-departure test waiver based on criteria outlined in this self-checker tool , and can show relevant proof of recovery outlined at Stage 1F . Steps: Take a pre-departure PCR test or a professionally-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within 2 days before departure for Singapore, unless exempted. We used Express Test , and paid GBP50 each for the Fit to fly ART (You get the result on the spot, with confirmation QR code emailed within 40 min). Submit the SG Arrival Card health and travel history declaration up to 3 days before arriving in Singapore. Do a professionally administered ART test within 24 hours of arrival from Singapore. Click here to search for the nearest test centre. Reference: Gov.Uk Travel Guidance Latest Rules for Face Coverings in UK SG VTL (air) Checklist Continue reading below for my first COVID travel experience. If you didn't know this, I've been to UK and arrived safely back in Singapore. One moment we were bleary-eyed boarding the 1am flight and 13 hours later, we were breathing in cool crispy London air. It's been about 21 months since we were on a plane and 3 years since my husband saw his parents in person. So this was a much needed and long awaited visit. I know some countries have opened their borders despite the pandemic. Singapore has been very conservative in terms of its COVID measures. Mask -wearing is strictly mandatory and you must be double-vaccinated in order to dine and to enter shopping centres. For more 3 months, we were only allowed to be gathered in groups of twos and finally as at 22 November - it's been increased to 5 . Quarantine-Free Travel finally During the pandemic, it was possible to travel out of Singapore, but troublesome. You would need to be quarantined for up to 2-3 weeks depending on where you travelled from and the COVID situation. That means you’d need to fork out additional S$2K + for the hotel accommodations. Then the VTL was announced. VTL is a vaccinated travel lane , which allows fully vaccinated passengers to travel to Singapore without quarantine, provided they undergo several Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The VTL started off with Germany and Brunei in August, and then I believe US Vice-President Kamala Harris's visit in Aug 2021 was the catalyst that saw the implementation of the VTL flights for more countries, including the UK . travel anxiety This, being our first time travelling during COVID, did put my anxiety on an all time high. Before COVID, all we have to worry about when we travel is that we have enough baggage allowance, we have wifi where we are going and our luggage (plus ourselves) arrive safely at our destination. Now, in addition, I worried about possibly getting COVID (touch wood, otherwise trip will have to be deferred) being refused from boarding for some reason, or refused entry Filling up the forms wrong Not being able to breathe with the mask , on the plane Doing the wrong thing Rules changing at the last minute causing us to be quarantine on either side Maybe it's just me. Lao Tze did say this - “If you realise that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” the TRIP FLYING OFF The process for the UK flight was fairly simple. We only had to do 2 things - (1) a COVID test , on or before the end of day 2, which you need to book in advance, as the booking reference is required in order to complete - (2) a passenger locator form (due 48 hours before departure). At midnight, Changi Airport was a ghost town compared to pre-COVID, which just means you need to give up the idea of duty-free shopping. We were on the new SQ350, which flew beautifully and it helped that we were in business, courtesy of my husband’s passion for collecting miles. And despite my worries, it was not a problem at all, wearing a mask on the plane. ( My husband swears by the Under armour mask and I prefer the Korean KN95 disposable masks.) HEATHROW AIRPORT Heathrow was almost fully functioning as there was a super long queue at UK immigration, but thankfully, with a Singapore passport, I was able to use the e-Gate , which means I could be with my UK-passport-totting husband . We chose to do the PCR test upon arrival (day 0) at the airport, rather than wait for day 2, which was well within the rules to get tested . It was more expensive than doing your own test at home but we did it for 2 reasons. One was for convenience, as we were already there, and what’s another queue since we were already in queues from the moment we landed. Secondly, we wanted his parents to feel safe, as we were living with them and they are in their 70s and have underlying conditions. We didn’t even remove our masks until we got our negative PCR test - that’s how careful we were. BEING IN THE UK IS LIKE.. If you ask me how was it like to be in the UK, it felt surreal. We both felt blessed that our family is healthy and that we are able to travel. We didn’t do any sight seeing or meet with people because our main purpose goal was to be with family and to just test the ground, so to speak. We had dinner at the infamous Emperor (which is really good chinese) and found a new local pub. We did a Starbucks drive at 730am every morning without fail. What we enjoyed most was being able to breath in fresh air while walking in the park without masks. But being typical Singaporean, and having the mask-wearing habit ingrained, we wore our masks unless we are eating or there’s not many people around us. We did notice that half the peeps we see on the streets and in shops were not wearing masks. My sister in law mentioned that the local sentiment is most people want to forget COVID ever happened and want things to go back to normal. 2 things we didn’t miss was scanning our trace together app and looking over our shoulder for the social distancing ambassadors! GOING HOME The preparation to go home takes place 48 hours before. There were 3 things we needed to check off our list: (1) Pre-departure COVID test, which we pre-booked before we left for the UK. All we had to do was show up at the centre with a QR code. (2) On-Arrival COVID test, booked via the Changi Safe Travel Concierge (3) SG Arrival and Health Declaration card, which needs to be completed 3 days before arrival date either via Changi Safe Travel Concierge or ICA site With a blink of an eye, we were home. Singapore immigration was a breeze and we only had follow the signs to the COVID testing centre which was located outside of the terminal. There was a line, but it moved fairly quickly considered we were herded like sheep. Side note: if you are booking a Grab home from terminal 3, make sure that you tell them to wait at Door 1, ours was at Door 5, and unfortunately, being the “sheep” that we are, the rest of the doors were blocked off. WHAT IT COST US In case you are interested, we paid additional S$1209.34, on top of the flights to fly to the UK: AIG Insurance (which covers both of us and COVID-related medical) S$344 Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test with Express Test @ Heathrow T2 Arrivals GBP69 x 2 Pre-departure COVID Test (Fit to Fly PCR test) with Express Test @ Croydon Centrale GBP80 x 2 On-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test S$160 x 2 (includes GST) What to take note of when travelling during Covid So that’s it! That was my experience travelling to the UK in the November of2021. There’s always the fear of travel rules changing and as I’m writing this, there’s a new COVID variant emerging called Omnicron . In light of that, from Dec 2 2021, travellers to Singapore will have to do 4 COVID tests - the pre departure test 48 hours prior, an on-arrival COVID test and 2 ART test on Day 3 and Day 7. We don’t know yet what’s the impact this will have on future travelling, and if there are going to be more changes. So the information might be out of date soon. I suggest your ears on the ground for the latest and check out the resources below for a more updated travel advice. I can recommend that you read Milelion ‘s blog - he seems to have a grip on latest COVID travel happenings. I really feel for those who’s travelling these holidays to be with family, with these uncertainties looming over their heads. I remember having to double check and triple check information just in case - it was so stressful. And so I can imagine how you must feel. I pray that everything will work out as it should. Twenty years from now You’ll be more disappointed By the things you didn’t do Than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – H. Jackson Brown
Markdown	[1x1](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/1x1) [START HERE](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/start-here) [MEET SOPHIE](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/meet-sophie) [Yoga](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/yoga) [FERTILITY](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/fertility) [BLOG](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog) # [![SOPHIE SANDERS \\| Yoga, IVF Support, Self Care Rituals](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/c38b6ee4-61b7-4ec0-9f79-bdca8495d52e/Logo+2024.png?format=1500w)](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/) [1x1](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/1x1) [START HERE](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/start-here) [MEET SOPHIE](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/meet-sophie) [Yoga](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/yoga) [FERTILITY](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/fertility) [BLOG](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog) - [Filter]() - [All](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog) - [Baptiste Yoga](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Baptiste+Yoga) - [Braving Infertility](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Braving+Infertility) - [Inspiration](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Inspiration) - [Lifestyle](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Lifestyle) - [Move & Breathe](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Move+%26+Breathe) - [Personal Growth](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Personal+Growth) - [Teachers' Toolkit](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Teachers%27+Toolkit) - [Women's Health](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Women%27s+Health) - [Yoga Education](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Yoga+Education) [November 29, 2021](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience) [Sophie Sanders](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e) [Lifestyle](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Lifestyle) # [What It's Like Travelling to UK this Covid Season (on the VTL)](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience) [November 29, 2021](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience) [Sophie Sanders](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e) [Lifestyle](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Lifestyle) ### UpdateS as at 17 Feb 2022: Since we came back, omnicron dominated the Covid newsfront. There’s been more rules and restrictions in place, with 7 days of testing for VTL flights back to Singapore, some supervised and additional PCR test, if travelling to the UK. However UK and Singapore has eased some restrictions since, and in light of our upcoming travel to the UK in Feb, I decided to post updates here whenever we do travel back to see family. ### Travelling to The UK From 11th Feb 2022 onwards, if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive. Neither will you need to quarantine. Masks will also not be legally required in any setting, except for enclosed or private spaces, but this will be a personal judgement. Masks will remain mandatory on all TfL services including the Tube. Only travel requirement is to [complete a passenger locator form](https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) 48 hours before you travel to England and get your [vaccination certificate](https://www.notarise.gov.sg/) notarised. Plus purchase [COVID travel insurance](https://blog.moneysmart.sg/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance-singapore/) for a peace of mind. ### Returning to SG via VTL From 21 Feb 2022, 2359h (SGT). - Long-Term Pass holders (excluding Work Permit holders) are no longer required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP). - Assessed travel history will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days - On-arrival PCR test at the airport will be replaced with a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC), to be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. - Unsupervised self-administered ARTs will no longer be required on Days 2 to 7 of arrival in Singapore. - Pre-departure test is exempted if below the age of three in this calendar year; OR recently recovered from COVID-19 and are eligible for pre-departure test waiver based on criteria outlined in this [self-checker tool](https://go.gov.sg/recovered-traveller-checker), and can show relevant proof of recovery outlined at [Stage 1F](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist#1F). Steps: 1. Take a pre-departure PCR test or a professionally-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within 2 days before departure for Singapore, unless [exempted.](https://www.checkfirst.gov.sg/c/7f36b15e-3d3d-4b95-a904-7a5de6c6ddfb) We used[Express Test](https://www.expresstest.co.uk/), and paid GBP50 each for the Fit to fly ART(You get the result on the spot, with confirmation QR code emailed within 40 min). 2. Submit the [SG Arrival Card](https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/) health and travel history declaration up to 3 days before arriving in Singapore. 3. Do a professionally administered ART test within 24 hours of arrival from Singapore. Click [here](https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/testcentres)to search for the nearest test centre. *Reference:* [Gov.Uk Travel Guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#changes-to-international-travel-rules-from-11-february-2022) [Latest Rules for Face Coverings in UK](https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51205344) [SG VTL (air) Checklist](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist) ### Continue reading below for my first COVID travel experience. ![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/4d9332da-bb13-47af-ae2c-ef9eb8c20105/heidi-fin-QvPRGI8LfOc-unsplash.jpg) Photo by [Heidi Fin](https://unsplash.com/@heidifin?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/united-kingdom?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) If you didn't know this, I've been to UK and arrived safely back in Singapore. One moment we were bleary-eyed boarding the 1am flight and 13 hours later, we were breathing in cool crispy London air. It's been about 21 months since we were on a plane and 3 years since my husband saw his parents in person. So this was a much needed and long awaited visit. I know some countries have opened their borders despite the pandemic. Singapore has been very conservative in terms of its COVID measures. Mask -wearing is strictly mandatory and you must be double-vaccinated in order to dine and to enter shopping centres. For more 3 months, we were only allowed to be gathered in groups of twos and finally as at 22 November - [it's been increased to 5](https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19-phase-advisory). ### Quarantine-Free Travel finally During the pandemic, it was possible to travel out of Singapore, but troublesome. You would need to be quarantined for up to 2-3 weeks depending on where you travelled from and the COVID situation. That means you’d need to fork out additional S\$2K + for the hotel accommodations. Then the VTL was announced. VTL is a vaccinated travel lane, which allows fully vaccinated passengers to travel to Singapore without quarantine, provided they undergo several Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The VTL started off with Germany and Brunei in August, and then I believe US Vice-President Kamala Harris's visit in Aug 2021 was the catalyst that saw the implementation of the VTL flights for [more countries, including the UK](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-extend-vaccinated-travel-lane-scheme-eight-more-countries-including-us-uk-spain-2232501). ### travel anxiety This, being our first time travelling during COVID, did put my anxiety on an all time high. Before COVID, all we have to worry about when we travel is that we have enough baggage allowance, we have wifi where we are going and our luggage (plus ourselves) arrive safely at our destination. Now, in addition, I worried about - possibly getting COVID (touch wood, otherwise trip will have to be deferred) - being refused from boarding for some reason, or refused entry - Filling up the forms wrong - Not being able to breathe with the mask , on the plane - Doing the wrong thing - Rules changing at the last minute causing us to be quarantine on either side Maybe it's just me. > Lao Tze did say this - “If you realise that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” ### the TRIP FLYING OFF The process for the UK flight was fairly simple. We only had to do 2 things - (1) a COVID test, on or before the end of day 2, which you need to book in advance, as the booking reference is required in order tocomplete - (2) [a passenger locator form](https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) (due 48 hours before departure). At midnight, Changi Airport was a ghost town compared to pre-COVID, which just means you need to give up the idea of duty-free shopping. We were on the new SQ350, which flew beautifully and it helped that we were in business, courtesy of my husband’s passion for collecting miles. And despite my worries, it was not a problem at all, wearing a mask on the plane. (My husband swears by the Under armour mask and I prefer the Korean KN95 disposable masks.) HEATHROW AIRPORT Heathrow was almost fully functioning as there was a super long queue at UK immigration, but thankfully, with a Singapore passport, I was able to use the [e-Gate](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coming-to-the-uk/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border), which means I could be with my UK-passport-totting husband . We chose to do the PCR test upon arrival (day 0) at the airport, rather than wait for day 2, which was [well within the rules to get tested](https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/11/27/updated-guidance-on-day-2-tests).It was more expensive than doing your own test at home but we did it for 2 reasons. One was for convenience, as we were already there, and what’s another queue since we were already in queues from the moment we landed. Secondly, we wanted his parents to feel safe, as we were living with them and they are in their 70s and have underlying conditions. We didn’t even remove our masks until we got our negative PCR test - that’s how careful we were. BEING IN THE UK IS LIKE.. If you ask me how was it like to be in the UK, it felt surreal. We both felt blessed that our family is healthy and that we are able to travel. We didn’t do any sight seeing or meet with people because our main purpose goal was to be with family and to just test the ground, so to speak. We had dinner at the infamous Emperor (which is really good chinese) and found a new local pub. We did a Starbucks drive at 730am every morning without fail. What we enjoyed most was being able to breath in fresh air while walking in the park without masks. But being typical Singaporean, and having the mask-wearing habit ingrained, we wore our masks unless we are eating or there’s not many people around us. We did notice that half the peeps we see on the streets and in shops were not wearing masks. My sister in law mentioned that the local sentiment is most people want to forget COVID ever happened and want things to go back to normal. 2 things we didn’t miss was scanning our trace together app and looking over our shoulder for the social distancing ambassadors\! [![65de381a-91d4-498e-96a3-bdd51908e1c1.JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638344541467-1FYHNRP2BA0MWRAAAFSM/65de381a-91d4-498e-96a3-bdd51908e1c1.JPG)![65de381a-91d4-498e-96a3-bdd51908e1c1.JPG]()]() [![8a8978ea-65c7-49e4-b111-2aeb3496a5a1.JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638344062920-JWLNZNHMP2NKW9I11MM4/8a8978ea-65c7-49e4-b111-2aeb3496a5a1.JPG)![8a8978ea-65c7-49e4-b111-2aeb3496a5a1.JPG]()]() [![IMG\_8282.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638344123961-T9KZ084V0GMXTA4AIY9V/IMG_8282.jpg)![IMG\_8282.jpg]()]() [![IMG\_8353.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638345222412-RMJB7SZY9LOT13E92DLF/IMG_8353.jpg)![IMG\_8353.jpg]()]() [![IMG\_8355.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638345221620-Q0XKHRTJJMQ8GWSYFFL1/IMG_8355.jpg)![IMG\_8355.jpg]()]() [![a370f5ea-e76e-4620-a0d5-df4b89777f7a.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638345304540-ARQ1HGH7H09EJUZ77XCI/a370f5ea-e76e-4620-a0d5-df4b89777f7a.jpg)![a370f5ea-e76e-4620-a0d5-df4b89777f7a.jpg]()]() [![IMG\_8086.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638344645712-LC7CRC4OYWRQWTR9HSLF/IMG_8086.jpg)![IMG\_8086.jpg]()]() [![IMG\_8045.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638343970500-B933J36M806BCR29IHRX/IMG_8045.jpg)![IMG\_8045.jpg]()]() [![IMG\_8062.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1638343716936-FJPO6OSSCE2V8VCNABZ0/IMG_8062.jpg)![IMG\_8062.jpg]()]() GOING HOME The preparation to go home takes place 48 hours before. There were 3 things we needed to check off our list: (1) Pre-departure COVID test, which we pre-booked before we left for the UK. All we had to do was show up at the centre with a QR code. (2) On-Arrival COVID test, booked via the [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https://safetravel.changiairport.com#/) (3) SG Arrival and Health Declaration card, which needs to be completed 3 days before arrival date either via [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https://safetravel.changiairport.com#/) or [ICA site](https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-depart/entry_requirements/sg-arrival-card) With a blink of an eye, we were home. Singapore immigration was a breeze and we only had follow the signs to the COVID testing centre which was located outside of the terminal. There was a line, but it moved fairly quickly considered we were herded like sheep. Side note: if you are booking a Grab home from terminal 3, make sure that you tell them to wait at Door 1, ours was at Door 5, and unfortunately, being the “sheep” that we are, the rest of the doors were blocked off. ### WHAT IT COST US In case you are interested, we paid additional S\$1209.34, on top of the flights to fly to the UK: - AIG Insurance (which covers both of us and COVID-related medical) S\$344 - Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test with Express Test @ Heathrow T2 Arrivals GBP69 x 2 - Pre-departure COVID Test (Fit to Fly PCR test) with Express Test @ Croydon Centrale GBP80 x 2 - On-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test S\$160 x 2 (includes GST) ### What to take note of when travelling during Covid So that’s it! That was my experience travelling to the UK in the November of2021. There’s always the fear of travel rules changing and as I’m writing this, there’s a new COVID variant emerging called [Omnicron](https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/omicron-vs-delta-how-the-new-covid-variant-is-different/). In light of that, from Dec 2 2021, travellers to Singapore will have to do 4 COVID tests - the pre departure test 48 hours prior, an on-arrival COVID test and 2 ART test on Day 3 and Day 7. We don’t know yet what’s the impact this will have on future travelling, and if there are going to be more changes. So the information might be out of date soon. I suggest your ears on the ground for the latest and check out the resources below for a more updated travel advice. I can recommend that you read [Milelion](https://milelion.com/tag/vtl) ‘s blog - he seems to have a grip on latest COVID travel happenings. I really feel for those who’s travelling these holidays to be with family, with these uncertainties looming over their heads. I remember having to double check and triple check information just in case - it was so stressful. And so I can imagine how you must feel. I pray that everything will work out as it should. Twenty years from now You’ll be more disappointed By the things you didn’t do Than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. *– H. Jackson Brown* * OMNICRON LATEST** [New VTL Omnicron COVID 19 Measures as at Dec 2, 2021](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/omicron-covid-19-vtl-art-test-air-travellers-moh-2347241) \\[Milelion’s VTL Updates](https://milelion.com/tag/vtl) * IMPORTANT LINKS** [Notarise](https://www.notarise.gov.sg/) (for the authentication of your SG vaccination cert and health certifcate) [Express Test UK](https://www.expresstest.co.uk/) (There’s a lot of accredited COVID test provided but the hubby chose Express Test as they had a service at the airport and we used the same chain to do the return testing for convenience and because it’s close to London) [UK Passenger Locator Form](https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk)(remember to book your COVID test first as a booking reference is required to complete the form) [SG On-Arrival COVID Test](https://safetravel.changiairport.com#/) [SG Arrival and Health Declaration Card](https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-depart/entry_requirements/sg-arrival-card) [AIG COVID Travel Insurance](https://www.aig.sg/personal/more-insurance/singapore-travel-assist) (Travel insurance is not compulsory, but it was something we did pre-COVID, so why skip it right? Click [here](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health/insurance-and-treatment#insurance) for a list of other insurers) * GUIDANCE FOR TRAVELLING TO THE UK** [Quarantine-Free Travel from Singapore to the UK and Back.](https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/Covid-19/VTL/uk.html#fromsingapore) [UK COVID Health requirements/Restrictions](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do) [Requirements for Inbound Travellers to the UK](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19) [List of UK COVID Test Providers](https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/10/28/uk-day-2-tests-everything-you-need-to-know-including-the-cheapest-provider) [COVID Testing options at Heathrow](https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test) [Option to Book either a LFD or a PCR test for your UK on-arrival test](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lateral-flow-tests-to-be-introduced-for-vaccinated-international-arrivals) (if you are fully vaccinated) [No Visa requirements for Singaporeans entering the UK](https://www.mfa.gov.sg/countries-regions/u/united-kingdom/travel-page) for tourism and for less than 6 months [Singaporeans are eligible to use e-gates for quicker automated immigration clearance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coming-to-the-uk/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border%20) [Mask requirement in UK](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51205344.amp) [Type of Facemask](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/best-face-masks) * OTHER USEFUL COVID TRAVEL RESOURCES** [Vaccinated Travel Lane Review](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process) [List of countries approved on the VTL](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process) [VTL countries COVID Travel Requirements](https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/vaccinated-travel-lanes/)(but do due diligence to check the respective destination country’s requirements/news on travellers departing from Singapore.) [Travelling with unvaccinated kids 12 and below](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/files/CAAS_Vaccinated%20Travel%20Lane%20to%20Include%20Children%20Aged%2012%20and%20Below%20to%20Facilitate%20Family%20Travel_11%20Oct%202021.pdf) [Health measures and Requirements for a non-VTL flight](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/shn-and-swab-summary#from) [If you are a long term pass holders, work pass holders, student pass holders, and returning to Singapore, click here](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/arriving/overview) [Approval not required to Leave Singapore](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/departing/overview#advisories) [Health control measures for Inbound Travellers to Singapore](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health) [Current COVID Safety Measures/Restrictions in Singapore](https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19-phase-advisory) * TRAVEL BLOGS [VTL with kids](https://www.sassymamasg.com/vaccinated-travel-lane-vtl-family-kids/) [VTL Germany Experience](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/we-travelled-germany-without-stay-home-notice-quarantine-vtl-what-you-need-know-2190896) [Milelion's VTL Korean Experience](https://milelion.com/2021/11/19/south-korea-vtl-arrivals-process-at-seoul-incheon-my-experience/?fbclid=IwAR2AlZWSqUimJXl0wZi7ztmUBsM7KKJPx8tS959KJqc7fx4VkJf5oYRLzMU) [Milelion’s VTL Germany Experience](https://milelion.com/2021/09/08/germany-vtl-my-experience-with-covid-19-rules-regulations-and-life-in-munich/) * [November 29, 2021](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience) [Sophie Sanders](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e) [Lifestyle](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/category/Lifestyle) Tagged: [covid travel](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/covid+travel), [covid-19](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/covid-19), [vaccinated travel lane](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/vaccinated+travel+lane), [Singapore](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/Singapore), [VTL](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/VTL), [travel tips](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/travel+tips), [Holidays](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/Holidays), [covid holiday](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/covid+holiday), [VTL UK Experience](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/VTL+UK+Experience), [travel quotes](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/tag/travel+quotes) ### [Sophie Sanders](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog?author=5a01b52f5ce3507728b9ed4e) [May your Days be Filled with Gratitude and Abundance](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/gratitude-and-abundance) [Be Extra Loving Everyday](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/be-extra-loving-everyday) [Back To Top](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/blog/2021/my-uk-vtl-experience#header) [START HERE](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/start-here) [MEET SOPHIE](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/meet-sophie) [YOGA](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/yoga) [CONTACT](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/contact) ![Pineapple Logo.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b03ce8c50a54f1306a0e077/1527535681892-JGI64NC1O0QPF6XH06F2/Pineapple+Logo.png) Site by[M](http://magicandmondays.com/)[AGIC + MONDAYS](http://magicandmondays.com/) \\| [Privacy Policy](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/privacy-policy) [Cart (0)](https://www.sophiexsanders.com/cart)
Readable Markdown	### UpdateS as at 17 Feb 2022: Since we came back, omnicron dominated the Covid newsfront. There’s been more rules and restrictions in place, with 7 days of testing for VTL flights back to Singapore, some supervised and additional PCR test, if travelling to the UK. However UK and Singapore has eased some restrictions since, and in light of our upcoming travel to the UK in Feb, I decided to post updates here whenever we do travel back to see family. ### Travelling to The UK From 11th Feb 2022 onwards, if you are fully vaccinated you will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive. Neither will you need to quarantine. Masks will also not be legally required in any setting, except for enclosed or private spaces, but this will be a personal judgement. Masks will remain mandatory on all TfL services including the Tube. Only travel requirement is to [complete a passenger locator form](https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) 48 hours before you travel to England and get your [vaccination certificate](https://www.notarise.gov.sg/) notarised. Plus purchase [COVID travel insurance](https://blog.moneysmart.sg/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance-singapore/) for a peace of mind. ### Returning to SG via VTL From 21 Feb 2022, 2359h (SGT). - Long-Term Pass holders (excluding Work Permit holders) are no longer required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP). - Assessed travel history will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days - On-arrival PCR test at the airport will be replaced with a supervised self-administered ART at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC), to be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. - Unsupervised self-administered ARTs will no longer be required on Days 2 to 7 of arrival in Singapore. - Pre-departure test is exempted if below the age of three in this calendar year; OR recently recovered from COVID-19 and are eligible for pre-departure test waiver based on criteria outlined in this [self-checker tool](https://go.gov.sg/recovered-traveller-checker), and can show relevant proof of recovery outlined at [Stage 1F](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist#1F). Steps: 1. Take a pre-departure PCR test or a professionally-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within 2 days before departure for Singapore, unless [exempted.](https://www.checkfirst.gov.sg/c/7f36b15e-3d3d-4b95-a904-7a5de6c6ddfb) We used[Express Test](https://www.expresstest.co.uk/), and paid GBP50 each for the Fit to fly ART(You get the result on the spot, with confirmation QR code emailed within 40 min). 2. Submit the [SG Arrival Card](https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/) health and travel history declaration up to 3 days before arriving in Singapore. 3. Do a professionally administered ART test within 24 hours of arrival from Singapore. Click [here](https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/testcentres)to search for the nearest test centre. *Reference:* [Gov.Uk Travel Guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#changes-to-international-travel-rules-from-11-february-2022) [Latest Rules for Face Coverings in UK](https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51205344) [SG VTL (air) Checklist](https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist) ### Continue reading below for my first COVID travel experience. If you didn't know this, I've been to UK and arrived safely back in Singapore. One moment we were bleary-eyed boarding the 1am flight and 13 hours later, we were breathing in cool crispy London air. It's been about 21 months since we were on a plane and 3 years since my husband saw his parents in person. So this was a much needed and long awaited visit. I know some countries have opened their borders despite the pandemic. Singapore has been very conservative in terms of its COVID measures. Mask -wearing is strictly mandatory and you must be double-vaccinated in order to dine and to enter shopping centres. For more 3 months, we were only allowed to be gathered in groups of twos and finally as at 22 November - [it's been increased to 5](https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19-phase-advisory). ### Quarantine-Free Travel finally During the pandemic, it was possible to travel out of Singapore, but troublesome. You would need to be quarantined for up to 2-3 weeks depending on where you travelled from and the COVID situation. That means you’d need to fork out additional S\$2K + for the hotel accommodations. Then the VTL was announced. VTL is a vaccinated travel lane, which allows fully vaccinated passengers to travel to Singapore without quarantine, provided they undergo several Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The VTL started off with Germany and Brunei in August, and then I believe US Vice-President Kamala Harris's visit in Aug 2021 was the catalyst that saw the implementation of the VTL flights for [more countries, including the UK](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-extend-vaccinated-travel-lane-scheme-eight-more-countries-including-us-uk-spain-2232501). ### travel anxiety This, being our first time travelling during COVID, did put my anxiety on an all time high. Before COVID, all we have to worry about when we travel is that we have enough baggage allowance, we have wifi where we are going and our luggage (plus ourselves) arrive safely at our destination. Now, in addition, I worried about - possibly getting COVID (touch wood, otherwise trip will have to be deferred) - being refused from boarding for some reason, or refused entry - Filling up the forms wrong - Not being able to breathe with the mask , on the plane - Doing the wrong thing - Rules changing at the last minute causing us to be quarantine on either side Maybe it's just me. > Lao Tze did say this - “If you realise that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” ### the TRIP FLYING OFF The process for the UK flight was fairly simple. We only had to do 2 things - (1) a COVID test, on or before the end of day 2, which you need to book in advance, as the booking reference is required in order tocomplete - (2) [a passenger locator form](https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk) (due 48 hours before departure). At midnight, Changi Airport was a ghost town compared to pre-COVID, which just means you need to give up the idea of duty-free shopping. We were on the new SQ350, which flew beautifully and it helped that we were in business, courtesy of my husband’s passion for collecting miles. And despite my worries, it was not a problem at all, wearing a mask on the plane. (My husband swears by the Under armour mask and I prefer the Korean KN95 disposable masks.) HEATHROW AIRPORT Heathrow was almost fully functioning as there was a super long queue at UK immigration, but thankfully, with a Singapore passport, I was able to use the [e-Gate](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coming-to-the-uk/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border), which means I could be with my UK-passport-totting husband . We chose to do the PCR test upon arrival (day 0) at the airport, rather than wait for day 2, which was [well within the rules to get tested](https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/11/27/updated-guidance-on-day-2-tests).It was more expensive than doing your own test at home but we did it for 2 reasons. One was for convenience, as we were already there, and what’s another queue since we were already in queues from the moment we landed. Secondly, we wanted his parents to feel safe, as we were living with them and they are in their 70s and have underlying conditions. We didn’t even remove our masks until we got our negative PCR test - that’s how careful we were. BEING IN THE UK IS LIKE.. If you ask me how was it like to be in the UK, it felt surreal. We both felt blessed that our family is healthy and that we are able to travel. We didn’t do any sight seeing or meet with people because our main purpose goal was to be with family and to just test the ground, so to speak. We had dinner at the infamous Emperor (which is really good chinese) and found a new local pub. We did a Starbucks drive at 730am every morning without fail. What we enjoyed most was being able to breath in fresh air while walking in the park without masks. But being typical Singaporean, and having the mask-wearing habit ingrained, we wore our masks unless we are eating or there’s not many people around us. We did notice that half the peeps we see on the streets and in shops were not wearing masks. My sister in law mentioned that the local sentiment is most people want to forget COVID ever happened and want things to go back to normal. 2 things we didn’t miss was scanning our trace together app and looking over our shoulder for the social distancing ambassadors\! GOING HOME The preparation to go home takes place 48 hours before. There were 3 things we needed to check off our list: (1) Pre-departure COVID test, which we pre-booked before we left for the UK. All we had to do was show up at the centre with a QR code. (2) On-Arrival COVID test, booked via the [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https://safetravel.changiairport.com#/) (3) SG Arrival and Health Declaration card, which needs to be completed 3 days before arrival date either via [Changi Safe Travel Concierge](https://safetravel.changiairport.com#/) or [ICA site](https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-depart/entry_requirements/sg-arrival-card) With a blink of an eye, we were home. Singapore immigration was a breeze and we only had follow the signs to the COVID testing centre which was located outside of the terminal. There was a line, but it moved fairly quickly considered we were herded like sheep. Side note: if you are booking a Grab home from terminal 3, make sure that you tell them to wait at Door 1, ours was at Door 5, and unfortunately, being the “sheep” that we are, the rest of the doors were blocked off. ### WHAT IT COST US In case you are interested, we paid additional S\$1209.34, on top of the flights to fly to the UK: - AIG Insurance (which covers both of us and COVID-related medical) S\$344 - Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test with Express Test @ Heathrow T2 Arrivals GBP69 x 2 - Pre-departure COVID Test (Fit to Fly PCR test) with Express Test @ Croydon Centrale GBP80 x 2 - On-Arrival COVID-19 PCR Test S\$160 x 2 (includes GST) ### What to take note of when travelling during Covid So that’s it! That was my experience travelling to the UK in the November of2021. There’s always the fear of travel rules changing and as I’m writing this, there’s a new COVID variant emerging called [Omnicron](https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/omicron-vs-delta-how-the-new-covid-variant-is-different/). In light of that, from Dec 2 2021, travellers to Singapore will have to do 4 COVID tests - the pre departure test 48 hours prior, an on-arrival COVID test and 2 ART test on Day 3 and Day 7. We don’t know yet what’s the impact this will have on future travelling, and if there are going to be more changes. So the information might be out of date soon. I suggest your ears on the ground for the latest and check out the resources below for a more updated travel advice. I can recommend that you read [Milelion](https://milelion.com/tag/vtl) ‘s blog - he seems to have a grip on latest COVID travel happenings. I really feel for those who’s travelling these holidays to be with family, with these uncertainties looming over their heads. I remember having to double check and triple check information just in case - it was so stressful. And so I can imagine how you must feel. I pray that everything will work out as it should. Twenty years from now You’ll be more disappointed By the things you didn’t do Than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. *– H. Jackson Brown*
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