Cross-border "compassionate" travel launched between Singapore and Malaysia

Travel may start, beginning May 17.

From May 17, travel based on compassionate grounds between Singapore and Malaysia will be allowed.

This is amidst COVID-19 restrictions set in place in each of the two countries.

Details on the travel arrangements are set to be released at a later time. Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that this would include testing visitors for COVID-19 and the need for quaratine.

The announcement was made with Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein who was then in Singapore for a two-day official visit from May 1 to 2.

Compassionate grounds pertain to sitations wherein requests can be made to make trips to the other country for reasons such as to attend funerals or to visit those who are critically ill.

Discussions were also made on bilateral cooperation, which includes reopening of borders gradually and safely given the economic and people-to-people linkages existing between the countries.

Mutual technical verification of health certificates issued in Singapore and Malaysia in cooperation with Singapore Smart Nation and Digital Government Office and the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation were also discussed.