It's beginning to look a lot like our pre-Covid trips to Malaysia and Singapore, because both governments have loosen further restrictions for travel between both countries! ? Still, there are many things you should take note of before taking a much-needed vacay across the Causeway (both ways ?)

Note: Information is correct and updated at time of writing.

Singapore-Malaysia Border Reopening: Here's What You Should Know

What you need to do before you visit or return to Malaysia

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From April 1, all international visitors who are fully vaccinated are allowed to enter Malaysia without quarantine, and we bet many of you are excited ?Prior your trip to Malaysia, be it if you're returning home or going for a vacation, here's a checklist of things you need to do!

1. Required documents

All fully vaccinated international visitors and Malaysian citizens returning home will need to download the MySejahtera tracking app here and fill up a pre-departure travel form located in the 'Traveller' icon on the MySejahtera app via this link to enter Malaysia. For travellers with vaccine certificates issued overseas, you will need to verify your digital Covid-19 vaccine certificate via this link. If you have previously done so on the MySejahtera application, you can skip this step.

2. Required tests

On Thursday (March 24), Singapore and Malaysia jointly said that pre-departure or on-arrival tests for travellers via land will no longer be needed ? Non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below will also no longer have to take pre-departure and on arrival tests or serve a stay-home notice. However, travellers entering Malaysia from Singapore by air will need to take a COVID-19 ART two days before departure instead of a PCR test. Do note that VTL bus tickets are still valid for usage.

However, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers are required to serve a mandatory 5 days quarantine at their own accomodation. They should either take an RT-PCR test on Day-4 of quarantine OR a professional rapid antigen test (RTK-Ag) on Day-5 of quarantine. If they test negative, they can be released from quarantine on Day-5. If they test positive, they must continue to quarantine for another 5 days. Check out via this link to understand more on vaccine status.

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3. Insurance is required for short-term foreign visitors coming to Malaysia (for non-Malaysians only)

All short-term foreign visitors are required to have COVID-19 travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Malaysia, with a minimum coverage of US$20,000. This applies to all short-term foreign visitors (excluding Malaysians) regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination or recovery status. The insurance should be purchased prior to travelling to Malaysia, either from Malaysia-based or overseas insurers. If you're looking for a good insurance plan, you have to check out MSIG's TravelEasy's extensive Covid-19 coverage of up to $500,000 medical cover via this link. Your pandemic worries are kept at bay while you enjoy a much-deserved break! ?

For more information you need when you arrive in Malaysia, check out this link.

What you need to do before you visit or return to Singapore

Singapore has scrapped the VTL and will transition to a new simplified travel framework - the vaccinated travel framework, from April 1st. Countries and regions will be classified into two categories - general travel or the restricted category. Malaysia falls under the general travel category. Here's everything you need to know before you enter Singapore! ?

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1. Required documents via air or land

All fully vaccinated international visitors and Singaporean citizens returning home must download the TraceTogether app via this link. Additionally, all travellers, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, must complete their SG Arrival Card within three days before arriving at the checkpoints. You can find the link to the card right here. All travellers arriving in Singapore can use the Vaccination Check Portal on the SafeTravel website to submit their digital vaccination certificates in advance. This is only optional, and for added assurance. You can find out more information here.

2. Required tests

While travelling to Singapore via land does not warrant the need for a Covid-19 test, you do need to take either the PCR test or a professionally administered ART test within 2 days before your departure to Singapore via air. This also applies to partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers must also serve a 7-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at a declared SHN accommodation and take a PCR test after their SHN ends.

3. Insurance is also required for short-term visitors coming to Singapore (for non-Singaporeans only)

Travellers should also be insured for a minimum coverage of US$22,000 for any COVID-19 related medical charges. Insurance can be purchased with a Singapore or overseas-based insurer, and you can find examples of insurance companies via this link.

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4. Two additional documents for those travelling by land (for foreign-registered vehicles only)

There's will no longer be any caps on the number of daily overland travellers from April 1, where only about 4,000 people were allowed to travel on designated vaccinated travel lane (VTL) buses daily. For the first time in two years, you can finally take your usual weekend trips with your own private transport, car or motorcycle across the Causeway and Second Link ? Do note though that you'll need these two important documents when you're entering Singapore via land: a valid Autopass card and the Land Transport Authority (LTA)'s approval email. This only applies to foreign-registered cars and motorcycles.

The Autopass card serves as an electronic Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and is used to record the vehicle’s entry into Singapore and to pay all entry and exit fees when the vehicle is driven out of Singapore. You can only apply for the VEP online, from March 31st onwards, via VEP Digital Services on LTA's OneMotoring website. You can also update the road tax and insurance validity for your VEP via the same link. You also need to receive LTA's VEP approval email before entering Singapore.

Do note that if you're unable to provide both documents, you will be denied entry to Singapore. LTA expects more applications in the coming weeks, so do plan at least two weeks ahead of your intended travel dates to allow sufficient time for VEP application and approval. LTA also advises against leisure travel to Singapore for now to allow those with essential travel needs, such as for employment or to reunite with their families, to come to Singapore.

For more information on everything else you need to know when you arrive in Singapore, you can check out this link.

We would update more accordingly! Keep this guide handy for your next trip to Singapore or Malaysia ? If you're already excited, check out our itinerary guides, halal food guides and places you should visit by simply searching it up HHWT's website bar! ?