JOHOR BARU: Lorry drivers and their assistants heading to Singapore with goods will have to do pre-departure Covid-19 tests here first, with the republic to cease on-arrival testing from Thursday, according to the Johor Trucking Association.

       Its president Novan Hing said the move would cause a “bottleneck” as Malaysian lorry drivers would have to go for tests at an accredited facility every two to three days before entering Singapore.

       He said the association learnt that the proposal for the change was made by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), which was accepted by Singapore.

       Under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangement with Singapore, Miti is the lead agency for VTL-Land matters.

       “Thousands of our lorry drivers head to Singapore ferrying goods on a daily basis. With Singapore’s decision, they must produce a negative PCR test report upon crossing over.

       “This will seriously disrupt our daily logistics operation, with lorry drivers and assistants being required to go for the tests. The additional cost involved in the pre-departure testing will inevitably be passed to their (Singapore) customers,” Hing told a press conference here yesterday.

       Currently, lorry drivers and their assistants entering the republic are required to undergo on-arrival testing at the Singapore side of the Causeway and Second Link, with the cost absorbed by the Singapore government.

       Hing, who is also Malaysia Trucking Federation vice-president, said the move had created confusion among local freight forwarding companies.

       “The pre-departure testing will increase our burden, in the sense that local companies will have to ensure their drivers understand and comply with the new requirement,” he added.

       To make matters worse, the association only found out about the change less than a week ago.

       “As such, we expect a certain degree of disruption at the Malaysian side as we believe not all operators, in particular those from the central and northern regions, are well informed or prepared for the change on such short notice,” he said.

       Hing said lorry companies are already facing price hikes for tyres, lubricants and spare parts, which are mainly due to the international supply chain disruption, and price hikes in international sea freight and crude oil.

       “The association wants Singapore to consider postponing the requirement to a later date,” he said.