Singapore and Malaysia are planning to implement two schemes to facilitate cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes.

They are called the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).

Singapore's foreign affairs minister Vivian Balakrishnan met his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein to discuss the arrangements on the schemes.

The meeting took place at the mid-way point of the Causeway, which was closed to facilitate their discussion:

"An excellent meeting"

Vivian described the meeting with Hishammuddin as "an excellent meeting", calling him "an old friend".

In response to a question on reasons for the choice of venue for the meeting, Vivian said that "relations between Singapore and Malaysia will always be special", adding that the Causeway was "the world's busiest land crossing".

He also mentioned that other arrangements are being discussed between the two countries, such as the High Speed Rail, and daily commuting arrangements.

"The fact that we meet, and we meet so intensively, and so closely, simply reflects the nature of the extremely close and integrated relationship between Singapore and Malaysia."

Key aspects agreed upon, applications open Aug. 10

Singapore and Malaysia have agreed on all the "key aspects" of the two schemes, and "look forward to the launch," according to a joint statement by both countries' foreign affairs ministries.

The statement said that applications for both schemes can be submitted from Aug. 10 onwards, and that eligible travellers will have to abide by the mutually agreed terms and prevailing public health measures in both countries.

Vivian said that operational details for the schemes will be published "in the next few days", ahead of the schemes' implementation on Aug. 10.

Travellers can expect a set of Standard Operating Procedure for travellers, which will cover the requirements, health protocols, and application process for both schemes.

Not resuming yet: Daily travel, travel for compassionate reasons

However, the previously-common practice of daily commuting would not resume yet, Vivian said.

He explained that "a couple of weeks" are needed for monitoring of the Covid-19 pandemic, with discussions on daily commuting to be started if there is "confidence that the control of the pandemic is well executed in both places."

Operational details, such as ensuring the availability of mass-scale testing on both sides will need to be confirmed, before daily commuting arrangements can resume, Vivian said.

Another category being looked into, Vivian said, was travel for compassionate reasons, such as family members wanting to cross the border to "bid a final farewell" to relatives.

"This has nothing to do with business, nothing to do with diplomacy, it's really just human nature", Vivian said.

The schemes

Here's more information on the RGL and PCA.

Reciprocal Green Lane: Cross-border travel allowed for essential business

Cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes will be allowed.

Such travellers will have to abide by the health regulations on both sides, including PCR swab tests.

They are also expected to submit a controlled itinerary to the authorities of the country they're visiting, and stick to that itinerary for the duration of their visit.

Periodic Commuting Arrangement

Other than the Green Lane, the two countries will implement a Periodic Commuting arrangement.

This allows Singapore and Malaysia residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, to enter that country for work.

After at least three consecutive months in their country of work, they may return to their home country for a short-term home leave, and thereafter re-enter their country of work to continue work for at least another three consecutive months.

They will have to abide by all health regulations of the country they are in.

Similar arrangements:

Top photos by Andrew Koay and Abriel Tay