All Modes Of Transport Allowed From April Following The Announcement Of Singapore-Malaysia Border Reopening

Good news to those who have been completely vaccinated, you will be able to travel freely between Singapore and Malaysia by land, including by car, beginning April 1, without having to undergo testing or quarantine, in a highly awaited move that is expected to kick-start short visits between the two nations.

Following the announcement by both the Malaysian and Singapore governments on Thursday, March 24th, travellers will no longer have to undergo the usual pre-departure or on-arrival testing. On top of that, there will also be no daily overland travel limits, which is a significant improvement over the current setup, which allows only roughly 4,000 passengers to travel on designated vaccinated travel lane (VTL) buses each day.

The new agreement will apply to all types of travellers and means of transportation crossing the border by land, including cross-border public bus services like route 170, which are being gradually reinstated. 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri stated that the decision would boost recovery efforts and positively influence both countries' economies and livelihoods, especially after the economic turmoil due to the pandemic covid 19. 

"As Malaysia reopens our borders to international travellers starting April 1, 2022, we will achieve another significant milestone in facilitating cross border travel with our immediate neighbour, Singapore.

"Today's announcement reflects the long-standing relations and multifaceted cooperation, as well as strong people-to-people ties between the two countries," he said.

The easing of Singapore-Malaysia border restrictions effectively returns movement between the two countries much like before the pandemic, when 415,000 people crossed the Woodlands Causeway and Tuas Second Link daily.

This should give people who work across the border more confidence in returning to their jobs. Families that have been separated will no longer have to worry about scrambling for bus tickets to see one another.

It is also both countries’ hope that their tourism sectors will be given a much-needed boost. 

Meanwhile, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that the reopening of the land border acts as a significant milestone for both countries’ journey to coexistence with Covid-19.

"It reflects the strong collaboration both sides have enjoyed throughout the pandemic, and it will help both countries emerge stronger from this crisis," he added.

Since the Covid-19 situation in both countries has stabilised, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung agreed on Wednesday to resume travel between the two countries.