Finally the MY & SG borders are open. I don’t know about you, but we are sure excited about it!
As you might have known, the border between Singapore and Malaysia will be reopened on November 29 to quarantine-free travel for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) programme, for starters, will allow travellers to fly between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Finally Malaysians working/studying in Singapore are able to come home without any hassle & quarantine, isn’t this such great news?!
There is a lot of information to take in so here is a summarised version of all you need to know about travelling to & fro Singapore on the VTL.
1. Who can use the VTL programme?
- You must be properly vaccinated against Covid-19 to be eligible.
- You must have spent the previous 14 days in Singapore and/or Malaysia before travelling .
- Malaysia & Singapore accepts vaccinations that have been recommended for emergency use by the World Health Organization.
- Vaccines that have been “authorised by a strict regulatory authority” are also recognised by Malaysia only
2. What must you do before flying to Malaysia?
- No VTL application is required.
- Within 2 days before leaving for Malaysia, have a professional conduct a COVID-19 PCR test and be found negative.
- Present a valid digitally verifiable vaccination certificate.
- Purchase obligatory travel insurance for COVID-19-related medical care and hospitalisation expenditures with a minimum coverage of RM100,000 (S$32,500).
- MySejahtera app downloaded with a registered profile to aid contact tracing
3. What should you expect when you land at KLIA?
- Undergo a Covid-19 PCR test at the airport upon arrival in Malaysia which the result of the test will be available within 1- 3 hours.
- After you test negative, you can proceed to immigration presenting required documents, including your passport and boarding pass. (You need to show your return ticket if you are a short-term visitor)
4. What must you do before flying to Singapore?
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- All fully vaccinated travellers (except Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents) travelling from Malaysia must apply for a VTP if they intend to enter Singapore on the VTL.
- VTL Applications must be made between 7 to 60 calendar days prior to your intended date of entry into Singapore. (no extra application charges)
- Within 2 days before leaving for Singapore, have a professional conduct a COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or COVID-19 PCR test and be found negative.
- Purchase obligatory travel insurance for COVID-19-related medical care and hospitalisation expenditures with a minimum coverage of S$30,000.
- You must exhibit to airline staff during check-in at KLIA :
- a valid VTP (electronic or physical copy) for the specified period of entry into Singapore
- a valid immunisation certificate
- a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test result
- a mobile device with the TraceTogether app downloaded and with their profiles registered.
5. What should you expect when you land at Changi Airport?
- Undergo a Covid-19 PCR test at Changi Airport upon arrival in Singapore & the test will be available within 24 hours.
- You must immediately take private transportation, taxi, or private rental car from Changi Airport to the declared accommodation to quarantine & wait for your Covid-19 PCR Test Result. (Public bus or train is NOT allowed)
- You can resume normal activities in Singapore once you have been informed that your test result is negative.