Should Testing Requirements Be Dropped For Singapore Cruises?
Testing Requirements are being dropped for Royal Caribbean Group sailings below six nights, but should Singapore follow suit?
Spectrum of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship currently serving Singapore.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
Following the conclusion of the United States’ Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 programme for cruise ships, various cruise lines in the United States have begun relaxing pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements. Royal Caribbean Group is the latest cruise conglomerate to modify its testing protocols in response to the cessation of the programme. Royal Caribbean Group owns Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, which currently operates Spectrum of the Seas out of Singapore on 3 to 4-night cruises to Malaysia.
No More Testing For Cruises Below 6 Nights
According to Cruise Industry News, Fully-Vaccinated Guests will no longer be required to undergo a pre-boarding COVID-19 test in order to board Royal Caribbean Group cruises shorter than 6 nights. Guests who are not fully-vaccinated are still subject to pre-boarding testing. All cruises 6 nights and longer will retain pre-boarding testing requirements, though Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, did state that the company aims to remove testing requirements for longer cruises in the future. The changes were announced during the Royal Caribbean Group’s second quarter and business update call on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
The changes are expected to take effect in August 2022.
Should Singapore Follow Suit?
At the time of writing, the Singapore Government and Royal Caribbean Group have not released any specific information regarding changes in pre-cruise testing requirements for Spectrum of the Seas’ 3-night and 4-night cruises to Malaysia. Home-grown Asia-based Resorts World Cruises, operating the Genting Dream out of Singapore and Port Klang, have similarly not announced any changes to their pre-cruise testing policies.
However, with the relaxing of such policies overseas, should Singapore consider a similar approach, and scrap pre-cruise testing requirements? We shall take a look at a few points of consideration, taking into account the local scene in Singapore.
High Vaccination Rate Among Local Population
Singapore’s vaccination rate is considerably high, with at least 93% of the total population having completed the full vaccination regime*, and at least 79% of the total population with at least one booster shot. Singapore is also slowly rolling out another round of booster shots, with elder citizens encouraged to go receive their second booster as soon as possible. Singapore residents also risk losing their Fully Vaccinated status should they not receive booster shots.
*Only for COVID-19 vaccines under Singapore’s National Vaccination Programme.
Contracting Illness Because Of Testing
Online tele-ART services (provided by a Singapore-licensed medical professional) are available as an option for pre-boarding testing, however the less tech-savvy among us may opt for in-person options. In Singapore, guests who choose to have their pre-boarding test done in-person may visit a Singapore-licensed medical clinic, or at a Government-run Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Joint Testing and Vaccination Centre (JTVC).
However, visiting a medical or testing facility in person will present the risk of contracting illness prior to your vacation, as there may be unwell persons visiting to get tested and medical help. One can take precautions, like wearing masks and frequent sanitising of hands, but precautions are not foolproof. As such, this could be a factor to take into consideration when deciding to remove pre-cruise testing.
In Conclusion
Removing pre-cruise testing eliminates the hassle and extra cost incurred in order to get tested before travelling. It seems logical to relax testing requirements, given Singapore’s notable vaccination numbers. It also reduces the risk of getting sick before embarking on a vacation.
However, looking long-term, the question of pre-cruise testing becomes a harder question to answer. It is definitely a welcome move towards normalcy, but the question to be answered becomes a matter of risk tolerance. Is Singapore ready to take more risks? And whether Singapore is able to accept more COVID-19 cases on its shores.
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