Expecting 1,400 people crossing the Singapore-Johor border in the first week

There is about 1,400 people are expected to be able to travel between Johor and Singapore in the first week of the implementation of the land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) between Singapore and Malaysia, said Johor Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad.

Mr Hasni’s comments came after Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Saturday that he was "optimistic" that the land border between Singapore and Malaysia would be able to be opened by the end of November, and that details were still being worked out. Mr Gan also said that it may be "possible" the land VTL is launched “on the same day” as the planned air VTL between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Nov 29.

Under Singapore's VTL scheme, fully vaccinated travellers are able to travel into Singapore on designated flights, and take COVID-19 tests in lieu of serving quarantine or stay-home notice. The daily quota for the travel lane scheme for all VTL countries is 10,000 travellers.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 300,000 Malaysians would cross the Causeway daily for work. Upon the opening of Singapore-Johor border, the land VTL will be capped at smaller number and a certain limit quota. The priority will be for the families that have been separated during the pandemic.

There will be gradual increase in the future to increase the number of travellers in the future depending on the success of VTL's land implementation. It is expected the testing facilities in Malaysia is able to accommodate the number of travellers under land VTL.

It’s a positive step for the safe reopening of our international borders. Hopefully, when negotiations are completed, the land VTL will be launched on Nov 29,” said Mr Hasni.

This is an important victory in cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, and it can help recover the economy of both countries, and that of Johor,” he added.