It seems that while we have entered phase 2 of the circuit breaker where we’re trying to get things to go back to somewhat normal, the same cannot be said for our borders.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Vivan Balakrishnan, we will most likely be taking a “step by step approach” on reopening our borders with Malaysia.
This would mean that measures to conduct COVID-19 tests and contact tracing will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone.
Dr Balakrishnan said, “I do not see it possible to have a big bang complete, no holds barred, no restrictions, no tests (approach) – I think that would be unwise. But we can open up in steps, have the appropriate measures to test people, contact trace people because when you open up, your risk (of infection) will inevitably increase.”
So When Will Our Borders With Malaysia Reopen?
In an interview conducted by CNA host Diana Ser with Dr Balakrishnan, he was asked when the borders between Singapore and Malaysia would reopen.
He replied that he didn’t really want to “put a timeline” as there were still a lot of details yet to be worked out by authorities on both sides.
He explained, “We have to work out those protocols and to make sure those protocols are effective on both sides of the Causeway. So just give us a few, I would say, days to weeks.”
With regards to borders opening, the key concern that is stopping them is, of course, public health.
He went on to elaborate, saying that there is a “need to protect the public health of both Singapore and Malaysia”, and we need to realise that “the world’s busiest land crossing is between Johor and Singapore”.
As such, there is a lot of details to be sorted out before they can officially open the borders.
But don’t worry, he assured us that “there are papers and phone calls being exchanged” currently and they’re trying their best to do what they can.
Last week, Putrajaya said that it is possible that Singaporeans may not need to go through COVID-19 testing or serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) if they were to enter Malaysia.
However, this same arrangement should be extended to the Malaysians who intend to enter Singapore for the former to happen.
As such, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that there would need to be public health protocols agreed by both sides so that citizens of both countries will be safe.
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Helping One Another Out
With Singaporeans and Malaysians often travelling across the borders to either country each day, it is no wonder that Singapore and Malaysia would work together “very cooperatively”. This teamwork was even more obvious when the pandemic occurred.
Dr Balakrishnan said, “There has been a lot of interaction, phone calls, video conferences at all times of the day and night, at all levels of leadership. And that communication has been very useful and has helped to build trust.”
Of course, not every journey is always smooth-sailing.
He conceded that there were some challenges and confusion brought about by Malaysia’s movement control order in the very beginning, but with communication, Singapore was “able to respond quickly”.
In fact, “if you actually think about the outcomes, it’s actually a pretty good record. Throughout this movement control order or our own circuit breaker, the supply chains between Malaysia and Singapore continued to flow.”
Other than political figures being in contact, our health authorities were also in close contact with those in Malaysia, and according to Dr Balakrishnan, both sides have helped to fly each other’s citizens home from overseas during the pandemic.
He then elaborated, “Communications continued, supplies continued, essential medical supplies continued. People flow, repatriation, consular services continued and we cooperated very effectively.”
Reopening Other Borders
So what about all our other borders? Will we be able to fly again soon?
Well, it seems that we are on track and we have already started with a “fast lane” agreement with China.
This agreement essentially meant that travellers who were allowed into the country would have to undergo COVID-19 screening as well as other measures.
Dr Balakrishnan explained, “It is no accident that we are the first country in Southeast Asia that China has agreed for arrangements for what we call a reciprocal green lane. Because they know us, they can see beyond the numbers, they know what the real situation is on the ground and more important than that, they know we are reliable and trustworthy. So we started with China, but we are also negotiating similar special reciprocal travel arrangements with other countries.”
How exactly does Singapore know which country to carry out such arrangements with?
He responded, “It’s countries where we have strong diplomatic ties with, it’s countries we have strong business and economic interests in, it’s countries where our public health systems, their systems and ours, are familiar with each other.”
“We understand their tests, they understand our test. We have a mutual appreciation of each other’s concerns. And we’re able to synchronise our – for instance, our testing regimes. So that’s the way it proceeds.”
These arrangements will most likely be in place for at least the next one year to one year and a half.
And of course, they are being very careful about this because any wrong move can easily “reopen Pandora’s box” and the virus will be “out on a rampage again”.
Thus, they have to ensure that the arrangements are “flexible enough to deal with changing circumstances. But the key thing is communication, is trust, is openness, is reliability.”
So while we can look forward to more borders reopening in the next few days, weeks, or even months, one thing to note is that things will probably never be the same again.
And whatever measures we have in place now, will be the new norm.
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