Malaysia

Malaysia-Singapore VTL suspended from tomorrow till Jan 20: Khairy

Decision made after two possible Omicron cases discovered in island nation, says minister

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 22 Dec 2021 1:57PM

Malaysia-Singapore VTL suspended from tomorrow till Jan 20: Khairy
Khairy Jamaluddin says results show two of the three Covid-19 cases in Singapore could be of the Omicron variant while the other is still pending. – Bernama pic, December 22, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has suspended ticket sales for buses and flights under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore to be enforced from tomorrow until January 20, 2022.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a statement that the decision was made following the Singapore Health Ministry’s announcement that there were two possible Omicron variant cases in the island nation.

“On December 20, Singapore’s Health Ministry issued a statement relating to a local Covid-19 cluster involving three positive individuals. 

“The results showed that two of them could be of the Omicron variant while the other case is still pending. These three cases have no history of overseas travel.

“Taking into account the latest news reported by Singapore, the Health Ministry would like to announce the suspension of all bus and flight ticket sales for the VTL initiative between Malaysia and Singapore (air and land travel), enforced from December 23 to January 20, 2022,” said Khairy.

Additionally, he said that those who have already purchased tickets and fulfil specific criteria may continue their journeys on the VTL.

Bus and flight ticket sales will resume on January 21, 2022 after assessing the risks of the Covid-19 situation in both countries.

“Further information on the latest instructions for the temporary suspension of bus and flight ticket sales for the Malaysia-Singapore air and land VTL initiative can be referred to the Malaysian Transport Ministry (VTL-Air) and the International Trade and Industry Ministry (VTL-Land),” he said.

Additionally, he advised travellers to be responsible and always abide by instructions and standard operating procedures set.

The Rembau MP reminded them to perform regular Covid-19 self-tests to update their own risk status and in turn reduce the risk of infection to other individuals.

The VTL was opened to the public on November 29 this year, with those fully vaccinated allowed to travel between the two countries without having to quarantine.

However, on December 7, the Malaysian Health Ministry said that people who wished to travel must undergo Covid-19 tests.

They must either take the RTK-Ag self-test on their second, fourth, and sixth days after arrival, or the professional RTK-Ag test on their third and fifth days after arrival. – The Vibes, December 22, 2021

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