The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority said there was “extremely heavy departure traffic” at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints on the morning of May 3. -- PHOTO: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Travellers driving to Malaysia by car faced traffic jams lasting as long as five hours at the two Singapore checkpoints, as Singaporeans rushed to Johor on Polling Day.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said there was “extremely heavy departure traffic” at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints on the morning of May 3, with tailback from Malaysia reaching the two checkpoints.
The tailback at the Second Link was about 5km and reached Tuas Checkpoint, ICA posted on its Facebook account at 12.22pm.
“Travellers can expect delays of up to five hours or more,” ICA said, as it reminded travellers to check traffic conditions before embarking on their journey.
At 11.18am, real-time traffic app Beat The Jam estimated the waiting times to be as long as six hours at the Causeway, and three hours at the Second Link. These were updated at 12.47pm to at least four hours at both links.
Meanwhile, checkpoint.sg app showed it would take around three hours to clear the Causeway and Second Link.
As Polling Day for the 2025 General Election falls on May 3, which is a Saturday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) on April 16 declared May 5 to be a school holiday and a day off-in-lieu for all staff at MOE schools.
This means it is a long weekend for students and staff at MOE schools, with classes resuming on May 6.
However, May 5 is not a compulsory day off for working adults.
If Polling Day is a non-working day for an employee, he is entitled to either a day off or salary in lieu, said the Ministry of Manpower on April 15, adding that employers should discuss with their employees when the day off will be. - The Straits Times/ANN
