Singapore and Malaysia will ease travel restrictions for essential business travel, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke to Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on June 26 about the gradual and phased resumption of cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia. During their discussion, they agreed to establish a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and a Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).

The RGL will facilitate cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between the two regions. Travellers will have to adhere to a set of Covid-19 prevention and public health measures, which are currently under discussion, the MFA added.

Singapore and Malaysia have also agreed to establish a Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) which will allow residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to periodically return to their home countries for short-term home leave.  Travellers will be able to return home for leave after spending at least three consecutive months in their country of work, and they will be allowed to re-enter their country of work after their home leave, according to the MFA.

“Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Muhyiddin have tasked their officials to work expeditiously on the operational details of the RGL and PCA, and to continue discussions on other proposals to gradually facilitate more cross-border movement of people, so as to ensure a stable recovery by both Singapore and Malaysia from the COVID-19 situation,” reads a statement from the MFA.