Photo: Vecteezy/khunkorn (for illustration purposes only)
ICA warns of heavy traffic at Woodlands and Tuas for Good Friday long weekend
SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it is expecting heavy traffic due to the holidays this weekend, specifically from Friday (April 17) to Monday (April 21).
Last month, during the Hari Raya Puasa long weekend, more than 1.8 million travellers crossed the checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas. During that time, the highest number was recorded on March 28, when 538,000 travellers crossed in a single day. This resulted in some people who had travelled by car having to wait as long as three hours to get through immigration, largely due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.
However, this is not the largest number of travellers through the two checkpoints because, on Dec 20, a record number of over 562,000 crossings were made in a single day. This overtook the previous record of more than 553,000 crossings the week before, on Dec 13.
The ICA noted that the Good Friday weekend has traditionally been the busiest long weekend in the calendar year for land checkpoints, and the people travelling at this time should expect a longer waiting time to clear immigration. A viable alternative would be for travellers to use cross-border bus services instead of private vehicles, which would lessen road congestion. Those interested in doing so may check the Land Transportation Authority’s (LTA’s) MyTransport SG app or operators’ websites for bus hours and timings.
“We seek travellers’ understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules, and maintain lane discipline. ICA will not hesitate to take stern action against travellers who do not comply with officers’ instructions and commit offences at the checkpoints,” ICA added.
Everyone travelling through the checkpoints should have a passport valid for at least six months. Permanent residents with renewed passports should ensure their Re-Entry Permit has been transferred to the new passport. Long-term pass holders must inform the ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of changes in their passport particulars before they re-enter Singapore.
Short-term visitors, including those holding an in-principle approval for a long-term pass, must submit their Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) with a health declaration via the MyICA mobile application within three days before arriving in Singapore.
Travellers are advised not to bring in controlled or prohibited items, a list of which may be found on the ICA website.
ICA also asks motorists to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before starting their travels and warns drivers not to cut queues, which can make traffic worse and unsafe for other drivers.
Individuals who travel by bus are encouraged to use QR codes for faster immigration clearance. The ICA also asks motorists to ensure their vehicle’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is valid.
The authority also warns drivers not to cut queues, which can make traffic worse and unsafe for other drivers. Those caught queue-cutting will be turned away and made to rejoin the queue.
ICA warned that those with foreign vehicles who cannot present a valid Autopass card or LTA’s VEP approval email and valid insurance will be ordered to return to Singapore. More details on this may be found on the LTA’s One Motoring website.
People with outstanding fines should settle them with relevant agencies; otherwise, they may be denied entry into Singapore. /TISG
