Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints over long weekend from April 3

 

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned of heavy congestion and longer clearance times at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints over the upcoming Good Friday and Qing Ming long weekend from April 3 to 5.

In an advisory posted on its official website, ICA said that, in view of the heightened global security situation, including recent developments in West Asia, it has stepped up security checks on arriving travellers, cargo, and conveyances at all checkpoints.

"Travellers should expect longer waiting times to clear immigration and are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journey," it said on Monday (March 30).

According to ICA, the recent March school holiday and Hari Raya Aidilfitri weekend from March 13 to 22 saw more than five million travellers cross the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.

The immigration authority noted that traffic peaked on March 18, with more than 564,000 travellers crossing in a single day.

"During peak hours, car travellers experienced waiting times of up to three hours for immigration clearance due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.

"Travellers are strongly encouraged to consider taking cross-border bus services as an alternative to driving, to avoid congestion at the land checkpoints," it added. – Bernama