VTL Between JB & S’pore Coming ‘Soon’ But There Will be Limit in the Number of Visitors

You probably know by now that from 29 November 2021, you can travel to Kuala Lumpur via air without having to serve any quarantine on both countries if you’re fully vaccinated through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme.

But all you’re thinking is when the VTL will be extended to land travel between Johor Bahru  (JB) and Singapore, so that you can head up north during the weekends for some cheap seafood with your own car whenever you feel like doing so.

Well, hold your horses: the land VTL is indeed in the pipeline, but even if you’re made of moolah and are willing to stuck in the causeway jam for hours, you might not be able to head there when the land VTL is open.

Because there would be a limit, and most probably, only public transport is allowed.

VTL Between JB & S’pore Coming ‘Soon’ But There Will be Limit in the Number of Visitors

The Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore, Datuk Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, revealed some details about the land VTL.

He said that the relevant agencies in Singapore and Malaysia are currently ironing out some “minor issues”, which he added that they “will be sorted out soon.”

For a start, it won’t open with a bang: back in the days when going to JB is common, there were up to 300,000 people travelling between the two countries daily via the two land crossings.

Therefore, Dr Azfar added that it will be a controlled opening, and that means limiting the number of daily commuters.

Lest you’re not aware, even for other VTLs, there are quotas, so it’s no surprise that they will limit the number of commuters for land travel.

When asked whether there’s a chance that only public transport would be allowed, Dr Azfar said, “I think this will be easier to manage instead of allowing people to drive their own cars and motorcycles across the Causeway.”

It makes sense because I can’t imagine what’s going to happen if the quota is met and there is still a long queue.

Suffice to say, a day trip to JB just for cheaper seafood isn’t going to be worth it.

VTL Between Singapore and KL to Start from 29 November 2021

On 8 November, PM Lee announced that the air VTL between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport will start from 29 November 2021.

Later, during a COVID-19 press conference, it’s revealed that Vaccinated Travel Pass applications for Short-Term Visitors and Long-Term Pass Holders will commence on 22 November 2021, while returning Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are fully vaccinated will not need to apply.

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