SINGAPORE: It was a perfect reunion when senior lawyer, Datuk Roger Tan and his family were reunited with his two daughters in Singapore after some 22 months of separation.

       They were separated from March 18, 2020, when the Johor Baru–Singapore Causeway was closed, otherwise Rachel and her younger sister, Claudia, would travel back to Johor Baru almost every other weekend.

       Rachel works at Tan Tok Seng Hospital and Claudia at OCBC in Singapore.

       “I was so overwhelmed when I got to meet up with my parents and two brothers again. My prayers have been answered and I wouldn’t ask for anymore as they had taken advantage of the VTL-Air to travel from KL International Airport to be here on my birthday,” said the teary-eyed Claudia.

       Tan described the trip as easy and convenient so long as air travellers followed the standard operating procedures (SOP) strictly.

       Tens of thousands of fully vaccinated travellers have already made the trip to and from Singapore since it was first introduced on Nov 29.

       Travellers have to take an antigen rapid test (ATR) at an approved clinic 24 hours before the flight to Singapore. Covid-19 insurance coverage for S$30,000 (RM92,520) must also be taken out with a Singapore insurance company before arrival.

       Tan added that upon arrival at Changi Airport, the air traveller must undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test after retrieving baggage.

       The traveller should also download and activate the Singapore Trace Together app (equivalent to MySejahtera) on their mobile device.

       The traveller is not allowed to venture out from his indicated destination until the PCR result is known and negative, which should be known in less than 24 hours.

       In his case, Tan said he received the negative result within six hours.

       To travel to the destination, the traveller is not allowed to board a bus or MRT, and can only use a private car or taxi. Thereafter, the traveller is required to do a further ART at a designated facility on Day 3 and 7 of his arrival.

       But on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6, the traveller has to undertake his own ART and upload the self-administered result to a Singapore government website.

       “Both the officials at KLIA, including the Malaysia Airlines staff, and Changi Airport were really efficient and helpful. My family and I are just too elated to be able to come together again as one family,” said Tan.