Essential cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore likely to begin on 10 August

Come 10 August, eligible travellers from Singapore and Malaysia may be able to travel to and from both countries, as both governments have agreed to implement the Reciprocal Green Lane and Periodic Commuting Arrangement.

This was announced by Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, and Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in a joint statement yesterday (14 July).

These two schemes are meant to address the needs of different groups of cross-border travellers between both countries.

The Reciprocal Green Lane

The Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries.

Under this category, eligible travellers will have to abide by the prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries, which include undergoing polymerase chain reaction swab tests.

Additionally, travellers will also be expected to submit a controlled itinerary to the relevant authorities of the country they are entering, and ensure they adhere to this controlled itinerary during their visit.

The Periodic Commuting Arrangement

As part of the Periodic Commuting Agreement (PCA), Singapore and Malaysia residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, will be allowed to enter that country for work.

After at least three consecutive months in their country of work, they may return to their home country for short-term home leave, and thereafter re-enter their country of work to continue work for at least another three consecutive months.

While this is ongoing, they will also have to abide by the prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures which both countries have mutually agreed upon.

On the implementation of both schemes, the ministers noted a targeted date of 10 August 2020, a timeline which will allow the relevant agencies of both governments to “continue their consultation to finalise the standard operating procedures of the two initiatives.”

They added: “Recognising the keen interest of residents in Malaysia and Singapore, and to facilitate smooth cross-border flows, the governments of Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to publish the requirements, health protocols, and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore, 10 days prior to their implementation of the RGL and PCA.”

On top of the above, both countries have also agreed to develop other ‘appropriate schemes’ for cross-border movement. This includes a daily cross-border commuting proposal for work-related travel, while taking into account the required health protocols and available medical resources in both countries to ensure the safety of both countries’ citizens.

“This will allow both sides to progressively restore cross-border people-to-people interaction and economic exchanges,” the ministers concluded.

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