Covid Case Detected At VTL Causeway, Health Minister Says It Won’t Derail Plans For Travel

By Quinny Tan  •  29 Nov 2021 in News

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Not one hour after its grand opening, a positive Covid case has been detected along the VTL-Land.

Khairy Jamaluddin said, “A positive Covid-19 case was detected at the Johor Causeway entry point on the first day of the Malaysia-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL-Land) on Monday, November 29.”

The Health Minister said the case was detected through RTK-Antigen on-arrival testing conducted at the international entry point.

“The matter is being verified through confirmative testing using RT-PCR. We want to use the RT-PCR test to confirm the results of the RTK-Antigen test,” he told a news conference after officiating at the National Health Institute Covid-19 Personnel Appreciation Ceremony here Monday.

He said the Johor Bahru Health Office was carrying out a risk assessment on those who travelled on the same bus as the individual found positive, to decide whether they need to be quarantined or subjected to other restrictions.

“Although there is one (positive) case, I do not consider it as something that can derail the VTL.

“Instead, it should be an example of how pre-departure and on-arrival testing and the like are necessary preventive measures.

“There will be positive cases but the important thing is our diagnostic capability and requirements as well as risk assessment undertaken by the Health Office when such cases happen,” he added.

Khairy said today was an important day for Malaysia and Singapore, the closest neighbours to the two countries to open the border safely.

“Later in the evening when we have more information, we will issue a statement on the status of the VTL,” he said.

The VTL was a shining beacon of light for many who have been itching to travel to our neighbouring country after almost 2 years of restrictions.

Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob arrived there today for his first official visit in conjunction with the commencement of the air and land Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore.

He was greeted by his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong upon arrival at the Woodlands Checkpoint at 10.45am before the two leaders officiated the VTL-Land.

The prime minister was accompanied by Senior Minister and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.