JOHOR BARU: The sale of bus and air tickets to Singapore under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) has been suspended following the island republic’s decision to freeze cross-border travel due to the rising number of imported Covid-19 cases.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) said ticket sales for VTL-Land and VTL-Sea travel are suspended effective Dec 23 until Jan 20.

       “Travellers who have already purchased tickets and fulfil the conditions for VTL-Land and VTL-Sea travel can go ahead with their journey under the special travel lane initiative.

       “The sale of tickets for VTL travel will resume on Jan 21 after risk assessments regarding the current Covid-19 situation in Malaysia and Singapore are done.

       “However, the ticket quota will be reduced from the existing quota,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 22).

       He added that the Transport Ministry and International Trade and Industry Ministry have been updated on the instructions regarding Malaysia-Singapore travel.

       “The Health Ministry urges all travellers to be responsible and follow the conditions and standard operating procedures outlined for the VTL.

       “Perform a Covid-19 self-test routinely to ensure your own safety and (reduce) the risk of infecting other individuals,” Khairy said.

       On Dec 20, the Singapore Health Ministry issued a statement regarding a local Covid-19 cluster involving three positive cases.

       Further tests showed two of them might have the Omicron variant while the result for the other case was still pending.

       All three did not have any history of overseas travel.

       On Nov 29, both governments kicked off the VTL-Land and VTL-Sea travel initiative for fully-vaccinated individuals to travel between both countries without having to undergo quarantine upon arrival.

       On Dec 7, the Health Ministry announced stricter conditions for incoming travellers, requiring them to perform a Covid-19 self-test on the second, fourth and sixth day after arrival.

       They were also required to undergo a professionally-administered Covid-19 test on the third and fifth day after arriving.