The time has come: cheap Johor Bahru (JB) seafood is finally a reality as the Singapore-Malaysia land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) is about to open.
But before you march off to the ICA to renew your passports, hold your horses for day trips to JB are not likely due to various circumstances.
Observers Don’t Believe Day Trips to JB Are Possible Even When Land VTL is Ready
According to various observers, they believe that the reopening on 29 Nov may be opened to long-term pass holders only. That means only those who are working in Johor Bahru or Singapore can cross the border.
This is needed to help smooth out potential operational issues.
This theory comes after Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad unveiled the opening date of the land VTL between Singapore and Johor. He mentioned specifically that this scheme will only cover long-term pass holders.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry said details will be finalised soon, but one of its priorities will be to allow workers to reunite with their families.
Before COVID-19, over 415,000 travellers passed through the Woodlands Causeway and Tuas Second Link daily. This help increases tourism for both countries.
These days, the land borders looked more like a ghost town aside from the trucks carrying goods.
Observers’ Comments
A few observers suggested something like a Malaysia-Singapore travel card that both countries recognise. This can help reduce the border crossing times between the countries.
Screenings and COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction tests were also suggested by some of the observers.
Assistant Professor Terence Fan at the Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business, who specialised in transport issues noted various operational challenges in this land VTL. They include:
- transportation of inbound travellers to a self-isolation location
- who will be allowed to travel first
- how will the cap be enforced (limit on the number of people entering)
Mr Steven Ler, president of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas) suggested that the land VTL could have a requirement for COVID-19 to be valid for 48 hours after entering the country.
With this suggestion, the land VTL does not need to be restricted to long-term pass holders only. It could allow travellers to go for short round trips between Singapore and Malaysia as well.
However, all these are merely suggestions, there’s no guarantee as to what the authorities may impose once the land VTL opened.
So don’t renew your passports yet, and don’t bet on cheap seafood yet.
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