As Malaysia-Singapore Border Travel Opens Today, Travellers Confused Over Quarantine Orders
Different testing procedures and quarantine orders for Malaysians and Singaporeans has led to some confusion.
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After releasing the procedures on cross border travel between Malaysia and Singapore at the beginning of August, residents of both countries finally begin their journey today on 17 August.
But as travellers embark via the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes, confusion is still abound regarding the Covid-19 testing and quarantine orders as some complaints have popped up on social media.
For one, Malaysians returning from Singapore have to take the PCR test, which takes 48 to 72 hours for results to come back. However, Singaporean travellers entering Malaysia are required to take the Covid-19 RTK Antibody test instead whereby results are available within 30 to 45 minutes.
Another important point to note is that Malaysians returning from Singapore under RGL and PCA schemes have to adhere to home quarantine rules.
However, this only applies to those who are from Johor with a Johor address.
Under the scheme, those from Johor are allowed to undergo quarantine at home, while those from outside Johor will be quarantined at two designated hotels in Johor Bahru.
Only when the result is negative can travellers be exempted from the 14-day Home Surveillance Order (HSO) mandatory self-quarantine.
This has left some Malaysians feeling blindsided upon return as Singaporeans under PCA are subject to a modified 7-day Home Surveillance Order where they will be released if the Covid-19 RTK-Antibody test on Day 7 comes back negative.
However, there is a very good reason for this.
A Health Ministry official revealed to Malaysiakini that Malaysians returning from overseas pose a big risk in spreading Covid-19 in the country.
The expert in the ministry’s Disease Control Unit told the news site that up to two percent of those returning home tested positive, thus presenting an urgent need for them to be quarantined.
As such Johor State Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri has warned that stern action will be taken against those who are found to have broken their quarantine rules.
Speaking to media personnel at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI), NST reports Solihan saying that those entering and exiting the country are required to undergo swab tests, as well as carry the necessary documents and approvals before they are allowed to proceed to the Immigration counter.
(Credit: Ben Tan/Malay Mail)
Application for crossing the border between the two countries are open until 21 August. For more information, check out TRP’s article on the procedures, “Malaysians Can Enter Singapore Under Two Special Passes – All The Details” (HERE).
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