JOHOR BARU: Malaysians returning from Singapore under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes have been reminded to strictly adhere to home quarantine rules.
State Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said this is to ensure the safety and health of the returnees, their families and the public.
"Under the scheme, those from Johor are allowed to undergo quarantine at home, while those from outside Johor will be quarantined at two hotels here.
"For those undergoing quarantine at home, I would like to remind them to strictly follow the quarantine rules. They are also required to scan the MySejahtera QR code, and if they ares found to have broken the rules, stern action will be taken," said Solihan.
He was speaking to the media after visiting the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) here to observe the implementation of the RGL and PCA, which began today.
Also present was Johor Immigration Department director Baharuddin Tahir.
The RGL scheme enables cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries; while the PCA scheme allows Singapore and Malaysia residents, who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, to enter that country for work.
"The process for departure and entrance under the two schemes seems to be running smoothly, conducted by the various relevant authorities.
"Those entering and exiting the country are required to undergo swab tests and have the necessary documents and approvals before they are allowed to proceed to the Immigration counter," said Solihan.
He said that as of 10am, some 300 people had entered and exited the country through the Causeway.
Baharuddin added that at the moment, the CIQ complex at BSI is operational between 7am and 7pm; while the CIQ at the Second Link is operating 24 hours a day.
"I will be monitoring the operation at the Second Link for the next three days, and if there are not many people crossing after 7pm, I will recommend for the operation hours there to follow BSI's," said Baharuddin.
He said applications for the two schemes have reached their limit for the period until Aug 21, and no application has been rejected so far.
On another matter, Solihan said he will ask Perbadanan Pengangkutan Awam Johor (PAJ) to provide bus services to ferry those entering and exiting the country by foot.
"There are some who had to walk across the Causeway because public transportation service is still not allowed at the moment.
"The buses will drop off and pick up pedestrians at the border on the Causeway. I don't think PAJ will have any problem providing the service, but it would depend on approval from relevant authorities," said Solihan.
He said he hopes the service will be introduced as soon as possible.