Hundreds of travellers cross checkpoints as Singapore-Malaysia border fully reopens

Cars and motorbikes make their way towards Woodlands Checkpoint on Apr 1, 2022, as the Singapore-Malaysia land border reopens. (Photo: CNA/Vanessa Lim)

SINGAPORE: Hundreds of travellers crossed the checkpoints at Woodlands and the Second Link as Singapore and Malaysia fully reopened their land borders on Friday (Apr 1).

According to CNA, it is the first time in about two years that people can travel freely between both countries by private transport without the need for testing or isolation. Travellers must be fully vaccinated, and children aged twelve and below who are not fully vaccinated must be accompanied by an adult who is vaccinated.

Queues formed at Woodlands Checkpoint more than an hour before the border was fully reopened.

Just minutes before the reopening, vehicles honked as the first few motorcyclists entered the departure lanes at Woodlands Checkpoint.

Many cheered and waved their hands as they approached the barricades.

Drivers waited in the queue as they approached the departure booths at Woodlands Checkpoint, many waving at other motorists.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) Senior Assistant Commissioner Chua Tuan Meng said the reopening of the land border marked a "significant milestone towards living with COVID-19".

"ICA and other agencies have been working closely with our Malaysian counterparts to reopen our borders in a safe and calibrated manner over the past few months," he added. 

"It has been more than two years since border restrictions were in place at the land checkpoints.

"Since midnight, operations at both land checkpoints have been smooth. Travellers with the required documents will clear through checkpoints smoothly."

He reminded those travelling to prepare all the necessary documents before arriving at the checkpoints.

"ICA will continue to monitor the situation and finetune the ground processes to improve the checkpoint clearance experience for travellers," he added.