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ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor: The Malaysian Ministry of Health is studying the full reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border for daily travel, Minister Adham Baba said on Friday (September 11).
He said the plan to reopen the border came after pressure from the public, whose livelihoods had been affected by the border closures.
“The extension of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) until December is a crucial period for the ministry to determine the best time to allow the opening of the border for commuters,” Dr. Adham told the media. communication after the launch of a Lego mural. dedicated to COVID-19 vanguard at Legoland theme park.
“This is because during this period, we will be able to assess and acquire valuable information from both countries, including methods to reduce COVID-19 infection.”
Dr. Adham emphasized that the ministry will use the data and follow the stipulated regulations to avoid claims of not doing everything possible to control the disease and not taking care of people’s well-being.
He added that the ministry plans to double the amount of swab tests performed on the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes.
Currently, 2,000 swab tests are performed daily under the PCA scheme and 400 under the RGL scheme.
Both schemes went into effect last month. Under the PCA, Singaporean and Malaysian citizens or permanent residents holding long-term immigration passes for business and employment purposes will be allowed to enter the other country to work.
The RGL, on the other hand, will allow residents of Singapore and Malaysia to take short trips for essential business and official purposes for up to 14 days.
READ: FAQ: How can workers travel between Singapore and Malaysia and what are the COVID-19 protocols in place?
On September 3, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin expressed hope that Singapore and Malaysia will soon finalize arrangements for the daily transfer of workers between the two countries.
Johor’s Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad, who was also present at Friday’s event, said the state government will continue to push to reopen the border.
“I will continue to urge the federal government not to consider the Green Travel Bubble plan for the opening of the border between Johor and Singapore,” he said, adding that the relationship between Singapore and Johor is unique.
“That is why we do not hesitate to allow the movement of trucks that transport food, medical supplies, basic necessities and so on, because the human element is involved here, and between Johor and Singapore things are different.”
READ: COVID-19: PM Muhyiddin hopes Malaysia and Singapore can finalize procedures for daily commuting
He also urged the federal government to consider this unique position.
Also present at the event was the Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture, Nancy Shukri.
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