Singapore-Malaysia land VTL could be launched by end-November: Gan Kim Yong

THE highly anticipated land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore could come as soon as the end of November, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said on Saturday (Nov 20).

Speaking at a press conference by the multi-ministry taskforce for the Covid-19 pandemic, Gan said he is "optimistic" that this land VTL could be launched close to the start date of the air VTL between the two countries - on Nov 29.

"It is also possible that we may be able to (start the land VTL) on the same day," said Gan.

To recap, Singapore and Malaysia have already announced a VTL between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport for air travellers. This VTL will start with 6 designated flights per day.

Singapore and Malaysian counterparts have been "working very closely to work out operational details" and ensure that the land VTL can be done in a safe manner, said Gan.

Gan said he hopes to be able to "share plans" about the land VTL sometime next week, but warned that details are still being worked out.

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"The details as to how Singaporeans can book tickets and make arrangements to travel will be explained later, probably next week," he said.

Gan was quick to stress that there will not be "hundreds of thousands" of people travelling between the two states every day like the pre-Covid times. Both countries will instead start with "a smaller number".

The priority of the first phase of the land VTL, he said, will be to allow families who have been separated for a long time to return to their family members and be reunited.

"Subsequently, we can think about expanding the scope to allow more people to travel," said Gan.

"I think it is also important for us to ensure that we are able to do so in a safe way through tests and so on to make sure that this VTL will continue to be able to allow us citizens and permanent residents from both sides to travel safely," he added.

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