Singapore, Malaysia to work on vaccine certificates for cross-border travel

SINGAPORE — Singapore and Malaysia have pledged to work towards recognising each other’s vaccine certificates and to progressively restore cross-border travel between the two countries, following a meeting of their respective foreign ministers on Tuesday (23 March).

"The operational details of the Reciprocal Recognition of Vaccine Certificate between Malaysia and Singapore, including the detailed requirements, health protocols, and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore will be further deliberated and finalised by both parties," said the two parties in a joint statement.

At the Putrajaya meeting, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed the convening of the 10th Leaders’ Retreat, which will be hosted by Singapore in 2021. The Republic and Putrajaya aim to restart face-to-face bilateral engagements.

Both countries also pledged to continue pursuing their respective national vaccination programmes to vaccinate long-term residents, including Malaysians residing in Singapore and vice versa.

Current travel agreements

There are currently two agreements allowing certain groups of travellers to travel between the two countries: the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).

The former allows cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes, while the latter allows 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.

On 1 February, Singapore suspended RGL arrangements with Malaysia, Germany and South Korea for three months, citing the resurgence of COVID-19 cases worldwide. The RGL arrangements will be reviewed at the end of the suspension period.

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