Jerald AngIn December last year, both Singapore and Malaysia had suspended the sale of tickets to travel on their bilateral Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) in response to the rising number of imported Omicron cases. But with the sale of VTL tickets between the two countries reopening today, Singaporeans and Malaysians can rejoice as they can finally resume planning their inter-border travels on the VTL.
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Image credit: Esmonde Yong
While ticket sales for both air and land VTL travel have resumed, both countries will be halving their ticket quota in a bid to limit exposure to imported Omicron cases. Travellers who had purchased their tickets before 21 Jan will still be allowed to travel on the VTL under the previously-set quota. However, it is important to note that there has been a revision on the post-arrival COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) test regimen in both countries.
Malaysia now requires inbound travellers to take self-administered RTK Antigen tests on Days 2, 4 and 6 while professionally-administered tests are done on Days 3 and 5. Singapore, on the other hand, will require inbound travellers to take self-administered ART tests on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6 and a professional-administered test at a Combined Test Centre or Quick Test Centre on Days 3 and 7.
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Malaysia’s Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has stated that the quota will be revised according to regular risk assessments from time to time depending on the COVID-19 situation in both countries.
Featured image credit: Sadie Teper | Unsplash
