Malaysia's Borders Reopening; Driving from Singapore to JB: Hassle-free and No Vaccination Checks from April 1,2022
The Singapore to JB borders is finally open after two years since COVID-19 struck!
Singapore to JB: On Friday (1 APR), there were no lines to enter Woodlands Checkpoint in the morning. This was particularly because traffic had been so much smoother than in any of our pre-pandemic trips. At Singapore’s borders, clearance processes weren’t too different from the past: Passports were digitally stamped and toll charges were paid using a Cash Card.
Time to reunite with your Malaysian family, friends and relatives, and of course, eat to your heart’s content. Many clips of the border have surfaced on TikTok, and some of them were pretty heart-wrenching. Some bittersweet moments include Malaysians walking through the Singapore to JB borders to return back to their families and motorists smiling and waiting patiently to cross the Causeway after midnight. Malaysia even had fireworks to welcome its citizens back to the country!
Now, all fully-vaccinated travellers and non-vaccinated children aged 12 and below will be allowed to cross the land from Singapore to JB border through cars or motorcycles via Woodlands and Second Link. Here are a few things to take note from Singpore to JB.
They simply need to provide the necessary valid travel documents from Singapore to JB such as passports and vehicle entry permits (VEP) at the checkpoints. Travellers will also be required to download the MySejahtera tracking app.
Car (or Motorcycle) insurance is mandatory for all vehicles entering Singapore to JB. Ensure that your current insurance policy covers your time in Malaysia and that your coverage amount is adequate in the event of unforeseeable circumstances.
Update: The Malaysian government will waive the road charge (RC) on Singapore-registered vehicles from 1 to 7 April 2022.
If you are driving from Singapore to JB, you will be expected to pay for highway and checkpoint tolls via your Touch N’ Go card. This is similar to the NETS cashcard that we have in the in-vehicle units (IU) of our cars.
If you don’t already possess one, consider picking up an EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card. Available at selected 7-11 outlets in Singapore, it is a dual-currency cross-border contactless smart card for Singaporean motorists travelling to Malaysia.
Those entering from Singapore to JB can do so by Vaccinated Travel Bus services, chartered factory buses, private cars and motorcycles. There is still no news on the availability of public transport bus services like 170. From April 1, Causeway Link will also run a cross-border shuttle service between BSI CIQ and Woodlands CIQ daily. The services in Singapore start at 6.30am and end at 10.30pm. Be prepared to pay $2 if you are boarding from Singapore, and RM 2 if you’re boarding from Johor.
Individuals need to complete a full regimen of the Covid-19 vaccine to be allowed entry to Malaysia. Also, children aged 12 and below can travel without the need to show proof of vaccination. Note that those 60 years and above are required to have the third booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated by the Malaysian authorities. The approved vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
When it came to security checks, one auxiliary police officer was rather meticulous, opening the glove box and sifting through bags in the car boot.
Also, the reopening coincides with Ramadan, which starts on April 3 and ends on May 2. Note that some of your usual F&B outlets may only be open on the second half of the day.
Those looking to exchange their Singapore dollars for Malaysian ringgit should venture beyond JB Sentral – the ones there were closed – and head to the petrol stations visited by many Singaporeans near the checkpoint. One of the money changers there was open and buying Singapore dollars at an exchange rate of 3.07.
Overall, the trip to Johor was much easier than we anticipated. So, have fun and safe travels!
