Starting on 29 November, Singapore will be opening up the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) with Malaysia. Both land and air travellers will be able to enjoy quarantine-free travel between Singapore and Malaysia, if they meet the VTL conditions.
While VTLs are not new to Singaporeans, the Singapore-Malaysia VTL has been highly anticipated due to our close ties with our neighbour. Not only are families able to reunite after a long period of separation, but businesses also stand to benefit from the resumption of cross-border travel without quarantine or stay-home notice (SHN).
In particular, the land VTL which accepts the lower-cost pre-departure COVID-19 test using ART or RTK would bring down the cost of travelling, on top of eliminating the need for quarantine or SHN.
Here are the winners of the Singapore-Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane.
#1 Companies That Employ Malaysian Workers
Many businesses, from F&B establishments to construction companies, hire Malaysian workers who commute regularly between Singapore and Malaysia, some on a daily basis. For these companies and their workers, the land VTL is a better option than the existing Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) which requires a SHN period which is currently set at 7 days.
For companies who already employ Malaysian workers, the VLT gives these workers an option to return to Malaysia and visit their families under the VTL, instead of struggling between the choice between employment and family.
Businesses that plan to hire Malaysian workers may also benefit. As more workers are able to resume their cross-border commute via the land VTL, businesses that used to tap on the pool of daily Causeway commuters and those that are willing and able to hire Malaysian workers may finally find some relief for their labour crunch.
#2 Businesses With Singapore-Malaysia Operations
For many Singaporean businesses, the first step to internationalisation is often in the direction of Malaysia. The VTL would ease business travel for businesses with both Singapore and Malaysia operations. While non-VTL business travel has been in place, it is still subject to SHN (currently 7 days long). The VTL will expedite business travelling which could mean more effective cross-country operations for these businesses.
#3 Designated Bus And Flight Operators
Designated VTL bus operators – Handal Indah and Transtar Travel – and flight operators – AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Scoot and Singapore Airlines – are undoubtedly the winners with the VTL land and air arrangements.
As the designated operators, they can breathe a sigh of relief at the resumption of travel for their operations. For a hard-hit travel industry, being the designated operator could mean a difference between staying in business or being grounded and continuing losses. This comes just in time as government support such as Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) tapers off.
VTL Is A Step Towards Reopening
For businesses, VTL is a step towards the resumption of global business and travel, pre-pandemic. However, the VTL is not a panacea for our pandemic ills.
Retail shops in Johor Bahru awaiting the return of Singapore tourists still have to wait as the land VTL is currently restricted to only Malaysian citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders entering Malaysia. Likewise, Singaporean companies hoping to benefit from odd-job day labourers without investing in long-term employment will not have that access to cheap labour; the land VTL only allows Singaporean citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders to enter Singapore.
With a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, triggering global concern, this is a strong reminder for us that the pandemic is not over and to remain vigilant even as we move into the “Transition Phase”.
Read Also: Into The “Transition Phase” From 22 Nov: 5 Things You Need To Know.
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