Compulsory on-arrival ART for travellers entering Singapore from Malaysia via land VTL after reports about new COVID-19 strain

SINGAPORE: All travellers entering Singapore from Malaysia via the land vaccinated journey lane (VTL) will likely be required to take an on-arrival antigen fast take a look at (ART), the Ministry of Trade and Industry mentioned on Sunday (Nov 28).This obligatory requirement is in view of current reports of a doubtlessly more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus often known as B.1.1.529, added MTI. The new testing requirement will take impact from 8am on Monday beginning with the primary land VTL travellers arriving in Singapore.The on-arrival ART will likely be administered on the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and Queen Street Terminal. Travellers will likely be required to make an e-payment for the ART on the testing centre straight.MTI mentioned Singapore and Malaysia are launching the land VTL throughout the Causeway to additional restore connectivity between the 2 international locations. “The on-arrival ART will allow us to reduce the risks of spread of B.1.1.529 to Singapore, and enable us to progressively expand the land VTL in a safe and calibrated manner,” mentioned the ministry. MTI mentioned all travellers can purchase their bus tickets and be sure that they've the required paperwork prepared earlier than they board the designated VTL buses. Under the land VTL, which launches on the identical day because the VTL between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, there will likely be 32 bus journeys every means each day between each international locations.In the primary section of the land VTL, travellers need to be residents, everlasting residents or long-term move holders of the nation that they're entering.Therefore, entry into Singapore via land VTL will likely be for Singapore residents, Singapore everlasting residents and Singapore long-term move holders. Entry into Malaysia via land VTL will likely be for Malaysians, Malaysian everlasting residents and Malaysian long-term move holders.