Travellers From M'sia Entering S'pore Via Land Now Must Take On-Arrival Antigen Rapid Test
The new testing requirement will take effect from 8am Monday, 29 November.
By Sadho Ram — 28 Nov 2021, 02:36 PM
Amidst the discovery of a new and heavily mutated COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, named 'Omicron', the Singapore government has announced a new compulsory requirement on all land travellers from Malaysia
According to the Singapore Ministry of Trade And Industry (MTI), all travellers from Malaysia via the land Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) will be required to undertake an on-arrival Antigen Rapid Test (ART).
The land Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) is via the Johor Causeway and was confirmed last week.
The new testing requirement will take effect from 8am Monday, 29 November, starting with the first land VTL travellers to Singapore
The tests will be carried out at the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and Queen Street Terminal, with travellers required to make an e-payment for the test at the testing centre directly.
"The on-arrival ART will allow us to reduce the risks of spread of B.1.1.529 to Singapore, and enable us to progressively expand the land VTL in a safe and calibrated manner," MTI said in a statement.
The ministry has reminded all travellers to purchase their bus tickets and ensure that they have all the necessary documents ready before they board their designated VTL buses.
Earlier it was announced that travellers have to be citizens, permanent residents, or long-term pass holders of the country they are entering
Travellers will also need to use designated VTL bus services.
Singapore's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on 24 November that the land VTL is to give priority to those who have been working in either country to visit their families.
"The launch of the (land) VTL is a big step towards reconnecting our people and economies, and will further enhance our bilateral relationship," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said.
Under the land VTL, there will be 32 bus trips each way daily between both countries.
Each bus will have a maximum capacity of 45 passengers per trip, which means the VTL scheme will allow a total of 1,440 travellers into each country per day.
