Ever since the coronavirus emerged and started keeping people in their homes, the authorities have warned that unemployment would soar.
So, in addition to worrying about contracting a potentially fatal illness, employees were anxious about possibly losing their jobs, and not being able to put bread on the table during this trying time.
Our worst fears were eventually realised as more and more reports of pay cuts and retrenchments started pouring in as the months passed.
Some have even lost their jobs as a result of border control measures.
Over 35,000 M’sians Working in S’pore Have Lost Their Jobs Since The Borders Closed
More than 35,000 Johor residents working in Singapore have lost their jobs since the pandemic started, Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad said.
In fact, over 250,000 Malaysians who used to travel daily between the borders have also been affected, he said, illustrating how the recovery of their economy depends on that of Singapore’s.
This is why Johor wants to accelerate the full reopening of the border separating the two countries, with Hasni saying he has discussed the matter with Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Both governments are currently finding positive ways so that we can quickly open up the border between Malaysia and Singapore”, he said.
Hasni added that the border reopening is important as it “contributes 50% of the Customs revenue to the country,”.
Cross-Border Travel Only Allowed For Business, Official, and Work Purposes
At the moment, cross-border travel is only permitted for business, official, and work purposes, which falls under two schemes:
- the reciprocal green lane (RGL)
- the periodic commuting arrangement (PCA)
The RGL allows short-term travel for up to 14 days for essential business or official purposes.
Conversely, the PCA allows residents of both countries who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to enter that country for work.
However, under the PCA, only a maximum of 2,000 people are allowed to enter per day.
This may sound like a lot, but a total of 300,000 Malaysians used to enter Singapore for work or school on a daily basis before the pandemic, according to SCMP.
This is why the Malaysian government is pushing for a full reopening, in a bid to get their economy back on track.
Recently Recorded Highest Number of Daily Infections
The decision to reopen will wholly depend on the Covid-19 situation in both countries, of course.
On Monday (7 Sept), Malaysia recorded 62 new infections, the highest number in three months, according to ST.
Singapore: Wait, that’s considered high? 62 is a good day here.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Singapore recorded its lowest number of infections since 22 March.
And on Tuesday, Malaysia has 100 new Covid-19 cases, CNA reported.
If Malaysia manages to contain its new outbreaks, and infections in Singapore continue to dwindle, workers could soon return to their jobs, and banana cake eaters in Singapore could soon return to their home away from home.
Related: M’sia Telling People Not to Do Fist Bumps Anymore As Its Infection Number Spiked Up in a Day
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