Here are the Safety Measures for Singapore-Malaysia Border Travel

Applications for cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia for long-term pass holders and essential business and official travellers will begin on August 10. However, there will be strict precautionary measures in place before, during and after their visits.

The reboot of cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia will take place under two schemes:

1. the reciprocal green lane, for travellers who make shorter visits; and;
2. the longer-term periodic commuting arrangement.

These schemes are not available to students or tourists.

Before the recent global pandemic, over 300,000 travellers used the causeway every day. Among these were about 100,000 Malaysians who commuted daily between Singapore and Malaysia.

Here is the overview of the measures:

All travellers

• Must get approval for the travel from the authorities of the destination country through applications made by employers, companies or government agencies.
• Must be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival.

Periodic Commuting Arrangement

• This arrangement is meant for longer-term visitors who are prepared to stay in the destination country for at least 90 days for work.
• Travellers under this scheme can only do so via the two land border crossings at Woodlands or Tuas checkpoints.
• Individuals are not permitted to apply for entry to Singapore under this scheme. Employers must submit the application on behalf of their employees.
• Those who come to Singapore under this scheme must be tested for Covid-19 upon entry and serve a stay-home notice (SHN) for at least seven days. The SHN can be served only at hotels, serviced apartments or single-occupancy residences.
• If tested positive for Covid-19, the employee will undergo medical treatment.
• The employee or their employer will support the cost of the accommodation for the SHN, swab test and medical treatment (if required).
• Those returning to Singapore for short-term home leave after working for 90 days in Malaysia can apply for a waiver of SHN. In lieu of SHN, the returnee will undergo a Covid-19 swab test upon arrival at Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint in Singapore, at their own cost.

Those under the Reciprocal Green Lane Scheme must use contact tracing applications required by the local authorities

Reciprocal Green Lane

• This scheme is intended for short-term travel of up to 14 days for essential business and official purposes.
• Travellers who travel under the scheme can do so only at airports in Singapore and Malaysia which have available non-stop flight routes or at the land checkpoints.
• Travellers must be hosted by a company or a government agency in the destination country, which will file for an approval letter on the visitor's behalf. Those entering Singapore must have a valid SafeTravel Pass, while those visiting Malaysia must have a MyTravelPass.
• Travellers will be tested for Covid-19 at accredited laboratories within 3 days (72 hours) before departure and receive a certificate confirming a negative test result.
• Travellers must undergo another Covid-19 swab test upon arrival at the destination country.
• After the swab test, travellers must stay in the earlier-declared accommodation until negative test results are released. Those who test positive for Covid-19 will undergo medical treatment at their own cost.
• Travellers cannot take public transport in the host country for the duration of the visit, except for private-hire cars, taxis or company transport.
• They must also download the contact tracing applications required by the local authorities to facilitate contact tracing. In Singapore, they must use the TraceTogether app, and in Malaysia, they must use the MySejahtera app.

For detailed information, travellers from both countries can access the links put up by the Immigration Department of Malaysia and Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on their respective websites:

Immigration Department of Malaysia

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

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Sources: Straits Times & Malay Mail

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