Malaysia - Singapore Land VTL: What You Need to Know Before Travelling
(Photo credit: Reuters)
The Malaysia - Singapore Land-VTL was launched on 29 November 2021, opening up the Causeway to travellers for the first time since the Malaysian government implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March 2020.
There are of course several requirements you need to fulfil before crossing the border and it may be a daunting task trying to keep track of it all.
Here’s a look at some key pointers you need to know before embarking on your trip to Singapore.
1) Who Can Travel via Land-VTL?
(Photo credit: Reuters)
You have to be a citizen, permanent resident or long-term pass holder of the country you intend to enter. You are also required to be fully vaccinated and hold proof of your vaccination status.
You also have to be in a VTL approved country for 14 days prior to the trip.
2) How Will You Be Travelling?
(Photo Credit: Malay Mail)
The Land-VTL initiative will be implemented initially using bus services by Transtar Travel (Singapore) and Causeway Link (Malaysia).
Transtar buses will operate between Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange in Singapore and Larkin Sentral in Malaysia while Causeway Link buses operate between Larkin Sentral and Singapore’s Queen Street.
There will be 1,440 travellers from each country daily allowed.
3) Required Testing
(Photo Credit: Pexel)
Within two days before you travel, you will have to undergo either a professionally-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
Upon arrival at Larkin Sentral, Queen Street or Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange, you will have to undergo another ART under supervision.
This process is applicable for travellers in both directions (The ART upon arrival in Singapore was implemented as a response to the threat of the new Omicron variant).
Do note that you will have to bear the costs of these tests.
4) Insurance
Mandatory travel insurance with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 is applicable to short-term travellers only. Other travellers are advised to still take up sufficient insurance in the event of any COVID-19 medical-related emergencies and treatment.
5) Additional Points to Note
If you are entering Singapore as a long-term pass holder, you will need to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP). However, there is no quota for VTPs so we suggest that you book your seats on the bus first before applying for the VTP.
(Photo credit: Malay Mail)
You are also advised to download the two country’s respective contact-tracing mobile applications; the MySejahtera app for Malaysia and Singapore’s TraceTogether platform. Set up your profiles on these two applications prior to your trip to avoid any hassle or issues on your journey.
These VTL initiatives are promising indicators of a future where we may be able to return to the normalcy of pre-Covid times.
Those of you looking to venture across the border for holiday or leisure purposes, keep an eye out for updates to the initiative, with both country's prime ministers already discussing the possibility of opening up more parts of the borders to include general travellers too as early as mid-December 2021.
