VTL-Land open to all Malaysian, Singaporean citizens from Dec 20

PETALING JAYA: Due to increased public demand for travel, all Malaysian and Singaporean citizens will be able to cross the border via the Vaccinated Travel Lane for land crossings (VTL-Land) effective Dec 20.

The International Trade and Industry Ministry said that Malaysian permanent resident status holders can continue to enter Malaysia via VTL-Land.

“Travellers are still required to be fully vaccinated and for unvaccinated children below the age of 12, they must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians.

“Eligible travellers will be subjected to Covid-19 testing and further health requirements determined by the respective country.

“The VTL-Land will still be limited to only bus transportation.

“VTL-Land designated bus operators will offer tickets to meet increased demand and subject to prevailing public health situations,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 14).

Singapore-bound designated VTL-Land bus services will use Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal (Larkin Sentral) as the boarding and disembarkation point in Malaysia, whereas Queen Street Terminal (QST) and Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (WTBI) as the boarding and disembarkation points in Singapore.

The ministry said that the launch of VTL-Land between Malaysia and Singapore on Nov 29 is to facilitate quarantine-free, seamless cross-border movement by integrating health protocol, security and immigration clearance.

"The initiative allowed those separated from their loved ones due to the pandemic to travel home and reunite with their families.

"This was carried out to provide opportunities for both countries to reopen the land border in a gradual, safe, systematic and sustainable manner; necessary health measures are implemented and imposed on travellers between Malaysia and Singapore," it said.

Prior to buying any tickets, travellers into Malaysia using the VTL-Land are required to register at https://mysafetravel.gov.my whereas travellers from Malaysia to Singapore, are required to register at https://go.gov.sg/vtl-portal.

Further details pertaining to the VTL-Land requirements can be found at https://www.miti.gov.my and https://www.safetravel.ica.gov.sg.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that both VTL-Air and VTL-Land would start from Nov 29, with the latter using only designated buses.

He said that the launch of VTL-Land coinciding with VTL-Air would enhance bilateral and economic relations between both countries.

“Apart from workers, VTL-Land will provide an opportunity for Malaysians and Singaporeans on both sides of the Causeway, who have been separated from their families due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to be reunited with their loved ones,” the Prime Minister added.

Ismail Sabri said both governments had also agreed on a daily quota not exceeding 1,500 travellers for each way of travel at the initial stage with weekly increments.

“Malaysia and Singapore have achieved a more than 95% vaccination rate of their adult population.

“This has offered the opportunity for both countries to reopen the land border in a gradual, safe, systematic and sustainable manner,” he added.