SINGAPORE – Motorists crossing the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints can expect heavy traffic and delays this National Day weekend and holiday period (Aug 5 to Aug 10) following a peak of more than 290,000 commuters a day over the past weekend.
The number of daily crossings from July 29 to 31 surpassed the weekend travel volumes recorded during this year’s June school holidays, Vesak Day and Good Friday weekends, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Thursday (Aug 4).
Weekends during the June school holiday saw about 278,000 travellers each day.
As traffic flow has been increasing along the Causeway and at the checkpoints, commuters are advised to adjust their travel plans, if possible, to avoid being caught in a jam.
Pre-pandemic, during peak traffic at the National Day long weekend in 2019, travellers at the land checkpoints had to wait for up to four hours before they cleared immigration, added the ICA.
Therefore, travellers are advised to factor in additional time for immigration clearance and avoid the following peak hours:
– From 3pm to 11.59pm, travellers leaving Singapore on Friday (Aug 5)
– From 6am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm, travellers leaving Singapore on Saturday (Aug 6)
– From 6pm to 11.59pm, those arriving in Singapore between Sunday (Aug 7) and Wednesday (Aug 10).
Those departing from the Woodlands checkpoint should also note that Malaysia’s immigration department, Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia, has been conducting upgrading works on their arrival immigration car booths since June.
During this period, booths undergoing upgrading at the Bangunan Sultan IskandarCustoms, Immigration and Quarantine Complex will not be operational.
Before leaving Singapore, motorists are also advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints through the Land Transport Authority’s One Motoring website or via the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System installed along the Bukit Timah Expressway and Ayer Rajah Expressway.
Traffic updates will also be posted on the ICA’s social media pages.
Travellers should ensure their passports have a remaining validity of six months or more. Permanent residents who have renewed their passports will have to transfer their re-entry permit to the new passport, said the ICA.
All short-term visitors, including in-principle approval holders, need to submit their Singapore arrival card with health declaration within three days before arriving at Singapore.
Arriving travellers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will receive a seven-day stay-home notice through the e-mail address provided in their arrival card declaration, added the ICA.
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MCI (P) 031/10/2021, MCI (P) 032/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2021 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.