Ministry of Trade and Industry: Singapore and Malaysia in Talks to Open Land Borders Soon

(Photo Credit: Malay Mail)

With good progress on talks between the two neighbours, the land border between Singapore and Malaysia could be open soon.

People planning to travel between Singapore and Johor might be able to start planning their holidays as the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) hopes to finalise the details of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme soon. 

Although not specifying a date, a spokesman for the MTI said that reuniting workers separated by the border would be their top priority. 

This was done in response to media outlets saying that the land border would be opening on 29 November 2021, which would coincide with the commencement of the VTL to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The opening of the land borders is highly anticipated from both sides as Singaporeans and Malaysians alike regard land travel as the more convenient option.

Currently Established VTLs

Under the VTL scheme, travellers would be able to travel freely between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur without the need for quarantine restrictions. However, they would still have to test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure and upon arrival. 

Currently, Singapore has established VTLs between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sweden will be added to the list on 29 November 2021, followed by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on 6 December 2021.

COVID-19's Impact On Travellers

Prior to the pandemic, some 415,000 travellers crossed the Second Link and Woodlands Checkpoints for daily trips between the two countries. 

However, the pandemic has left more than 100,000 people stranded in Singapore separated from their families. 

Trade and Industry minister Gan Kim Yong has said that Malaysia and Singapore hope to launch the VTL in "a few weeks time".

Now the prospect of land travel happening by the end of the year seems to be looking up.

Read More: Malaysian Tourism Minister: Singapore-Malaysia Borders to Reopen to Travellers on November 29th

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