Two years after curbs were put in place because of the pandemic, the land crossing between Singapore and Malaysia, which was one of the busiest border checkpoints in the world, has further opened.
Starting midnight of March 31, fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to serve quarantine nor take Covid-19 tests. They can also cross without the need to travel on designated buses under the so-called vaccinated travel lane (VTL) arrangement.
As at 7am this morning, some 11,000 travellers have crossed, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
Fully vaccinated travellers can also cross in their own vehicles - and which hundreds did, bringing back the familiar sight of vehicles in long queues.
Prior to this, Malaysian workers who used to do the daily commute had to either be away from their families back home, or quit their jobs here.
Besides the daily commuters, the re-opening is seen to help kick start short trips from Singapore to Malaysia.
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The re-opening was first announced by the prime ministers of both countries on March 24.
According to the government, Singapore and Malaysia are also progressively restoring other modes of transport, including cross-border public bus services.
See also: Covid-19 global health emergency is over after three years: WHO
The Woodlands Checkpoint run by ICA ... a familiar sight once again.
Travellers waiting to cross at 10.54pm, more than an hour before the opening.
The lines of travellers getting ready to make the crossing at 11.06 pm
