The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on June 27 that Singapore and Malaysia will establish a Reciprocal Green Lane to facilitate cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes.

However, travellers would have to adhere to a set of COVID-19 prevention and public health measures, which are under discussion, and will have to be mutually agreed upon by both countries.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to discuss gradual and phased resumption of travel between the two countries.

Both leaders agreed that any bilateral arrangement would have to:

• Include mutually agreed public health protocols.
• Preserve the public health and safety of citizens on both sides.
• Take into account the medical resources available in both countries.

Periodic Commuting Arrangement

In addition to the green lane, there will also be a Periodic Commuting Arrangement.

This will allow Singapore and Malaysia residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, to periodically return to their home countries for short-term home leave.

They will be able to return home for leave after spending at least three consecutive months in their country of work, and they will be allowed to re-enter their country of work after their home leave.

Both leaders have directed their respective officials to work expeditiously on the details, so as to facilitate cross-border travel and ensure a stable recovery from the Covid-19 situation.

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Top image by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images.