Thailand or Bali may be the go-to getaways for short weekend escapes from Singapore. But Johor Bahru is most arguably the most popular destination for Singaporeans pre-Covid. So here's one of the most exciting VTL news to date: we can finally cross the border again come November 29!
It's been announced today that starting from next Monday (November 29), up to 1,440 Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders in Malaysia will be able to cross the Causeway into Singapore each day using designated bus services, without the need for quarantine.
In the same vein, up to 1,440 Malaysian citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders in Singapore will also be able to go back home, marking the initial phase of a much-anticipated land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) between the two countries. Tickets for the designated land VTL buses go on sale at 8am on Thursday, November 25.
Here are the details of the VTL:
- Those travelling via the land VTL must test negative after undergoing a professionally administered antigen rapid test (ART) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within two days of departure
- The test must be done at an accredited laboratory or testing centre
- Additionally, those travelling to Malaysia will also need to take an additional supervised on-arrival ART after they clear immigration
And if you're wondering if the bus tickets will cost the same as it was before the pandemic, we've got you covered. ]The ride from Singapore will cost $15 for adults and $8 for children, while buses from Malaysia will cost RM20 ($6.50) for adults and RM10 ($3.30) for children.
The launch of the Singapore-Malaysia land VTL will coincide with the start of the air VTL between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which was announced earlier.
Seeing how most Singaporeans have been nostalgic about travelling to Johor Bahru for food and shopping, this is majorly exciting news.
Read more:
Singapore and Malaysia to launch quarantine-free travel from November 29
Australia reopens borders to fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers from November 21