What a Singapore local what tourists to know before visiting, including tips on the best time of year to go

Prepare for humid weather and hot temperatures if you’re going to visit Singapore. Sam Dovey If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, be aware of COVID-related entry criteria. Keep reading for important advisory details as you prepare to explore Singapore.

Visit Insider’s hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations. When COVID-19 hit Singapore, the government introduced very strict rules, including measures that were different if you were unvaccinated — the group could not enter any shopping mall unless they had special reasons — and a mask mandate for all times, even when outside. When COVID-19 was at its peak worldwide, travel in and out of Singapore practically came to a halt, and stayed that way for a while, even when vaccination rates were high and the rest of the world was slowly opening up.

Fortunately, now that the pandemic has evolved and its variants are no longer causing symptoms as severe as before, things have eased up greatly in Singapore, but not completely.  As someone who lives here, I caution visitors that COVID-19 measures can change in a matter of days. Our government has even said they are not ruling out tightening measures once again if necessary.

So for peace of mind, I suggest checking official websites just before you travel to ensure you’re following rules that are up to date. Entry criteriaWhether you’re arriving by air, sea, or land, you need to fill out an arrival card at least three days before your trip into Singapore, and ensure you have your proof of vaccination. You can visit Singapore’s Vaccination Check Portal (VCP) to see if your certificate is recognized locally.

If you’re unsure and want to play it safe, go by this checklist for fully vaccinated travelers. If you’re unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, the process is more extensive. For those 13 and older, you need to either produce negative test results via a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction Test, or PCR, or an Antigen Rapid Test, or ART, which is professionally or remotely administered.

Upon arrival in Singapore, you also need to serve a seven-day Stay-Home Notice, or SHN, at a declared place of accommodation. Note that during SHN, you will not be able to leave your accommodation at all, and the government may do random spot checks via video calls. Finally, you have to take a PCR test once the SHN has been completed.

Many locals still choose to wear face masks in indoor settings around Singapore. Marielle Descalsota/InsiderOther tips to keep in mindSingapore is very tech-forward, so even before you arrive, make sure your phone’s fully charged or make sure you have a good power bank. If, for example, you forget to fill out the arrival card, you can quickly do it on your phone in the arrival hall, and the process thereafter should be smooth.

As for COVID-related restrictions, in August the mask requirement for indoor settings ended. Many locals however still choose to wear masks indoors, as do service workers, and masks are still required on public transit. Buffs and face shields are not considered face masks here, so you need to use a proper surgical mask, cloth mask, or N95 mask.

In case you’re unaware, Singapore has strict rules regarding prohibited items. What’s not allowed: Drugs — smugglers receive a mandatory death penalty and custom officers have the right to order random drug tests for visitors — and vaping devices — vaping is illegal in Singapore. What’s the best time to visit Singapore?During your research, you should have picked up on how hot and humid Singapore can get.

Expect harsh, warm weather throughout the year — temperatures average from 88 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit — but we do have a rainy season from December to early March, and another from June to September. But with the climate crisis, these days, this is unpredictable. This year in 2022 alone, I feel it’s been wetter than usual, with rain even during the dry season.

So don’t be surprised if you find yourself packing both your sunglasses and a raincoat for your day out in the Lion City. View Insider’s comprehensive guide to visiting Singapore. Read the original article on Insider.