PETALING JAYA: The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) by air between Penang and Singapore will commence on March 16, says Datuk Dr Seri Wee Ka Siong (pic).

       "The governments of Malaysia and Singapore have reached a mutual agreement to expand the VTL by air to serve the Penang-Singapore route starting March 16.

       "This VTL initiative will allow fully vaccinated travellers from between Penang and Singapore and vice-versa with participating airlines under the VTL without being required to quarantine upon arrival," said the Transport Minister in a statement on Friday (March 4).

       He said the initiative has played an important role in strengthening flight connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore while contributing to the economic and commercial recovery between the two neighbours, particularly in the tourism sector, which had been impacted heavily by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       "First initiated between the Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) route on Nov 29 last year, the VTL has served 82,906 arriving passengers from Singapore as of Feb 28 this year," he said.

       Dr Wee added that the latest Penang-Singapore VTL will commence with four flights per day equally shared between participating airlines operating in Malaysia and Singapore, with the sale of VTL air tickets to begin soonest possible.

       Further information on pre-departure and entry conditions to Malaysia can be accessed at www.imi.gov.my. Details on requirements for VTL to Singapore can be reached at https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg.