Singapore-Malaysia vaccinated travel lane to open November 29
A Singapore-Malaysia vaccinated travel lane is set to open on November 29 after all issues are resolved. The move is the first step in reopening travel between the 2 countries. Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore, Datuk Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, says issues including testing regimes, cross-border processes, and health are now being ironed out before its opening. But he says the reopening would not see pre-Covid travel levels, which were almost 200,000 to 300,000 people crossing daily.
“These are minor issues that I am sure will be sorted out soon. For a start, we would need to have a controlled opening. That means limiting the number of daily commuters.”
He also added that the land VTL would be more attractive than previous cross-border schemes as travellers would not be required to enter quarantine on either side of the border. Azfar confirmed that when the VTL opens, public transport such as trains and buses would be acceptable as those transportation methods would be easier to manage instead of allowing people to drive their own cars and motorbikes across the Causeway.
Currently, Malaysia has 2 land crossings with Singapore through the Second Link and Causeway. On Monday, the 2 countries announced the reopening of their mutual border with the VTL between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Changi Airport starting November 29.
Fully-vaccinated travellers will be able to travel between the 2 countries, but they must take a Covid-19 test if they want to skip quarantine or stay-home notice.
SOURCE: The Straits Times
