As the Chinese New Year long weekend approaches, travelers are advised to brace for heavy traffic congestion at the Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued a travel advisory indicating that those clearing immigration by car might face up to three-hour waits.
Rising Traffic Volumes
The ICA has observed an increasing trend of travelers using the land checkpoints during long weekends. For instance, over a recent weekend from January 26 to 28, there were over 1.37 million crossings, averaging nearly 458,000 daily. This marked a significant increase compared to the daily average crossings during the New Year long weekend.
Peak Periods
With Chinese New Year celebrated on February 10, heavy traffic is anticipated from February 8 to February 13 at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. Travelers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly to avoid delays.
Tips for a Smoother Journey
To mitigate the congestion, travelers are recommended to stay updated on the traffic situation through the Land Transport Authority’s One Motoring website or Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System. Ensuring valid Vehicle Entry Permits and refraining from queue-cutting are also advised to maintain smooth traffic flow and safety.
Compliance with Regulations
Travelers should also adhere to other entry requirements, such as the “three-quarter tank” rule for Singapore-registered cars and the prohibition of certain items like firecrackers and imitation tobacco products. It’s crucial to ensure that passports have a minimum of six months validity and to declare any dutiable or controlled items to ICA officers.
The ICA seeks the cooperation and patience of all travelers during this peak period to ensure a smooth and orderly immigration clearance process.
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