Christmas and New Year long weekends: Prepare for 'very heavy traffic' at Singapore land checkpoints, says ICA
ICA advises significant traffic delays, as it has also increased security measures in light of Middle East conflict
SINGAPORE — Visitors planning a trip to Malaysia during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays are advised to prepare for "very heavy traffic" at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Tuesday (19 December).
Prepare for longer immigration waits and enhanced security
During the upcoming two long weekends, travellers should take into account additional waiting times for immigration clearance. ICA has advised that individuals leaving by car might experience waits of up to three hours.
Furthermore, in light of the growing instability in the Middle East, the ICA has implemented enhanced security measures at the checkpoints.
"Traffic flow over the recent weekend (15 to 17 December) at both land checkpoints has exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels, with more than 1.3 million travellers passing through (close to 435,000 crossings daily)," it said.
"Compared with the same period in 2019, this was an increase of close to 30,000 travellers (close to 10,000 crossings daily)."
Strict consequences for queue cutting at checkpoints
ICA has reminded motorists to exercise patience, adhere to traffic regulations, maintain lane discipline and cooperate with on-site officers when using the land checkpoints. It urges collaboration with the traffic police, to ensure road discipline at critical junctions and roads leading to the checkpoints.
"Motorists using the land checkpoints should refrain from queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists. Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue," ICA said.
ICA also remind travellers to ensure that their passport has at least six months of remaining validity. Singapore permanent residents who have renewed their passports must transfer their re-entry permit to the new passport.
Long-term pass holders must notify ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of any changes in their passport particulars before entering Singapore.
Check traffic conditions and updates before you hit the road
Motorists are also strongly recommended to check the traffic conditions at both checkpoints using the Land Transport Authority's OneMotoring website or the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System on the Bukit Timah and Ayer Rajah expressways before commencing their journey.
Updates on traffic conditions will also be available on the ICA's social media accounts, including Facebook and Twitter, and local radio stations such as Money FM 89.3, Kiss92, One FM 91.3, 96.3 Hao FM, and UFM100.3.
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