The borders between Malaysia and Singapore is finally opening after being closed for almost five months. Different groups will be allowed to travel between the countries starting 10 August.
In a joint press statement released on 14 July, the Minister of Foreign affairs Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan have agreed to implement the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).
Commuters take the Woodlands Causeway to Singapore from Johor a day before Malaysia imposes a lockdown on travel due to the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su
“These two schemes are meant to address the needs of different groups of cross-border travellers between both countries. The RGL will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries,” the statement said.
“Eligible travellers will have to abide by the prevailing Covid-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries which include undergoing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests.
“Travellers will also be expected to submit to the relevant authorities of the receiving country a controlled itinerary and adhere to this controlled itinerary during their visit.”
The statement also added that the PCA will allow Singapore and Malaysia residents, who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, to enter that country for work.
However, after at least three consecutive months in their country of work, individuals may have to return to their home country for a short-term home leave, and thereafter re-enter their country of work to continue work for at least another three consecutive months.
“These travellers will also have to abide by the prevailing Covid-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed by both countries.”
Archive: Raffles Place office lunch time crowds / office workers, July 2014.. Photo. Ernest Chua.
Meanwhile, they said that officials in Malaysia and Singapore are working expeditiously towards the targeted implementation of the RGL and the PCA on 10 August 2020 as this will give opportunity for the relevant agencies of both Governments to continue consultation to finalise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the two initiatives.
Both governments have agreed to publish the requirements, health protocols, and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore 10 days prior to their implementation of the RGL and PCA.
“Malaysia and Singapore have also agreed to develop other appropriate schemes for the cross-border movement of people including a daily cross-border commuting proposal for work purposes for travellers from both countries, while taking into account the required health protocols and available medical resources in both countries to ensure the safety of the citizens of both sides.”
“This will allow both sides to progressively restore cross-border people-to-people interaction and economic exchanges.”
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