On November 29, for the first time in 20 months, Singapore and Malaysia
will reopen air borders. In a joint statement, the countries’ prime ministers credited the move to “the significant progress that both have made in vaccinating their respective populations and managing the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“The prime ministers agreed that it is timely to progressively resume cross-border travel between both countries, in a safe manner,” the statement continued. “Malaysia and Singapore will launch a VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport from November 29.”
Under the plan, fully-vaccinated travelers may travel between the two countries by air without having to quarantine on arrival. They still must submit negative Covid tests at each end.
Land borders remain closed for now, but the prime ministers added they “look forward to restoring travel across the land links between both countries in the near future.”
According to Inside Asian Gaming, the reopening of borders also comes as a boost to Singapore’s integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, with Malaysia representing one of their key markets, particularly in the mass market segment.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the establishment of a VTL between the two countries would help “revive our economies, restore our people-to-people ties and strengthen our bilateral relationship.”
