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SINGAPORE – Singapore is currently in discussion with Malaysia on expanding Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) land arrangement for private vehicles, as well as private coaches, says Gan Kim Yong, co-chair of the republic’s multi-ministry task force (MTF) on Covid-19.
At present, no private vehicles are allowed to travel over land between the two countries, except for public buses.
“When we are ready, we will make the necessary and appropriate announcement,” said Gan, who is also the Trade and Industry Minister, at a virtual press conference here today.
The MTF was asked when private vehicles will be allowed into both countries.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister S. Iswaran said Singapore would deepen and extend VTLs with Asean neighbours such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
“We are in advanced discussions to expand the VTLs to Penang and Kota Kinabalu. We look forward to launching these soon,” he said at the same press conference.
Singapore had commenced the VTL by air and land with Malaysia on November 29, but on a limited scale.
Singapore will also streamline its border measures for the VTL that would see, among others, Long-Term Pass Holders no longer having to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass or an Entry Approval to enter Singapore, from February 22.
Others include reducing travel history requirements from 14 to seven days, ceasing the seven-day enhanced testing protocol, and no longer requiring an on-arrival RTK-PCR test for VTL travellers.
Meanwhile, the Stay-Home Notice duration will be standardised to seven days across all country/region risk categories in view of Omicron’s shorter incubation period.
To facilitate vaccinated travel, the republic will restore and progressively increase VTL quotas.
The air VTL quotas will be fully restored with immediate effect while the land quotas will be fully restored from February 22.
The sale of bus and flight tickets for the land and air VTL was temporarily suspended on December 23, and was resumed on January 21.
However, the quota for the bus and flight tickets had been reduced by 50% from the existing capacity for land and air routes. – Bernama, February 16, 2022
