SINGAPORE: All travellers arriving in Singapore from Malaysia via the land Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL-Land) will be required to take an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) upon arrival, says the republic’s International Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI).

       “This will take effect from 8am on Nov 29, starting with the first land VTL travellers arriving in Singapore,” it said in a statement here yesterday.

       The ministry said this was in view of recent reports of a potentially more contagious variant of the Covid-19 virus, B.1.1.529 or Omicron.

       “The on-arrival ART will allow us to reduce the risks of the spread of B.1.1.529 to Singapore, and enable us to progressively expand the land VTL in a safe and calibrated manner,” it said, according to Bernama.

       The on-arrival ART will be administered at the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and Queen Street Terminal, said MTI.

       It added that travellers would be required to make an e-payment for the ART at the testing centre directly.