Traffic is expected to be very heavy at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from Jan 24 to Feb 2. - LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE
SINGAPORE: If you are heading to Malaysia via the land checkpoints during the upcoming Chinese New Year period, be prepared for longer waits to clear the immigration counters.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Jan 20 said it expects very heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from Jan 24 to Feb 2. The first day of Chinese New Year falls on Jan 29.
The authority said that over 24 million travellers crossed both checkpoints during the recent school holiday period, between Nov 15, 2024 and Jan 1. It was about a 20 per cent increase from the same period in the previous year.
On Dec 20, 2024, a record number of more than 562,000 travellers crossed the land checkpoints within a day. This surpassed the previous peak of over 553,000 travellers on Dec 13, 2024, ICA said.
Car travellers departing during peak periods then had to wait up to three hours for immigration clearance because of the traffic tailback from Malaysia, said the authority.
Travellers can consider using cross-border bus services to shorten their waiting time. They can check the Land Transport Authority’s MyTransport.SG app or the operator’s website for bus operating hours and timings.
Those travelling by car and motorcycle are encouraged to use QR codes instead of passports for faster and more convenient immigration clearance.
They are also reminded not to bring in prohibited or controlled items, such as vapes and bak kwa.
More information is available on ICA’s website. - The Straits Times/ANN
