SINGAPORE: Singapore has welcomed Malaysia’s announcement on reopening its border on April 1 but said it can’t pre-determine the date it can reopen its side for now, according to the republic’s Multi Ministry Taskforce (MTF) on Covid-19.
At a virtual press conference yesterday, MTF co-chair Gan Kim Yong said the island-state is working out the detailed operation arrangements with Malaysia and will share more when it is ready.
Gan, who is also the republic’s Trade and Industry Minister, said it will be looking at cars, motorcycles, additional buses, including private coaches, that would be engaged by companies for their workers to travel to and fro.
The MTF was asked about the specific details being worked out as well as the benchmarks it will use to decide on reopening its border and when it will happen.
“We are looking at the various aspects, and this also involves significant adjustment and fine-tuning of the operations on the ground.
“Bearing in mind that we have a few thousand (Covid-19 cases) a day and in time to come we may have a significant number of people crossing on a daily basis,” said the minister.
Gan added that “it is a major undertaking”.
“Our Land Transport Authority... our Immigration department are in close discussion with our (Malaysian) counterparts and also working out the operational details to ensure that when we are able to allow more traffic to cross (where) it can be done so smoothly and safely,” said Gan.
To the same question, Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted the ministries of health, on both sides of the Causeway, were in constant touch.
“I think we need to time it right... it must be done when the pandemic situation on both sides allows it.
“We don’t think we can pre-determine the date but this is something we are watching closely and when conditions allow, then we can talk about reopening,” he added.
Singapore reported 16,165 new Covid-19 cases at noon on Thursday with six fatalities. — Bernama