The JB-Singapore border is finally open after two years! Time to reunite with your Malaysian friends and relatives, and of course, eat to your heart’s content. Many clips of the border have surfaced on Facebook and TikTok, and some of them were pretty heart-wrenching. Some bittersweet moments include Malaysians walking through the borders to return back to their families and motorists smiling and waiting patiently to cross the Causeway after midnight. Malaysia even had fireworks to welcome its citizens back to the country!
@motorbikeridingsgclub celebrating borders opening
♬ Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Countdown Singers
Now, fully vaccinated people in Singapore are now able to cross the land border through cars or motorcycles across the Causeway and Second Link. Here are a few things to take note of before entering JB.
Have the valid documents and apps
Dust off your passport and ensure that it is valid for at least six months. Also, don’t forget to download, register and activate the MySejahtera application on your phone. The app is Malaysia’s equivalent to Singapore’s TraceTogether app. The app contains the user’s vaccination status, which is required at immigration to enter the country. It is also needed for individuals to check in to malls, restaurants and hotels.
Non-Singapore residents (travelling to Malaysia) with digital vaccination certificates issued overseas, ensure that you have verified your vaccination certificate on Malaysia’s MySafeTravel portal before departure. It is also useful to print a hard copy in case you have to present it at the checkpoint. Once you have verified your vaccination status on the MySafeTravel portal, check that your details are reflected correctly on the MySejahtera app.
Cross the causeway by bus or public transport
Those entering Malaysia can do so by Vaccinated Travel Bus services, chartered factory buses, private cars and motorcycles. There is still no news on the availability of public transport bus services like 170. From April 1, Causeway Link will also run a cross-border shuttle service between BSI CIQ and Woodlands CIQ daily. The services in Singapore start at 6.30am and end at 10.30pm. Be prepared to pay $2 if you are boarding from Singapore, and RM 2 if you’re boarding from Johor.
Apply for VEP and have a Touch n Go card ready
For entries after April 7, all Singapore-registered vehicles will need to register and obtain a foreign vehicle entry permit (VEP) before entering Johor. This enables them to pay the necessary road charges (RM 20) using the Touch n Go card. You can register for VEP here. Also, ensure that your Touch n Go car is valid and has sufficient at all times. Travellers from Singapore may also consider buying the EZ-Link x Touch 'n Go card, which is a dual-currency card designed for Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia. The card holds two electronic purses in each currency and has to be topped up in the respective countries.
From April 1 to 7, Singapore-registered private vehicles will be exempted from paying the road charges. This is to facilitate quicker border crossovers for all vehicles.
No pre-departure or on-arrival testing
Individuals need to complete a full regimen of the Covid-19 vaccine to be allowed entry to Malaysia. Also, children aged 12 and below can travel without the need to show proof of vaccination. Note that those 60 years and above are required to have the third booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated by the Malaysian authorities. The approved vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
Also, the reopening coincides with Ramadan, which starts on April 3 and ends on May 2. Note that some of your usual F&B outlets may only be open on the second half of the day.
So, have fun and safe travels!
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