SINGAPORE, Oct 12 – Singapore and Indonesia have concluded the negotiations on the establishment of a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) between the two republics.
The applications of the RGL which will also be referred to by Indonesia as the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) will open on Oct 26, 2020 and travel will commence soon after.
According to a joint statement issued by Foreign Affairs Ministries of both nations here, the arrangement will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes to resume between both countries.
The statement was issued following a telephone conversation between Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi and his Singaporean counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
The statement said both ministers reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding relations between Singapore and Indonesia.
“They recalled their discussion in August 2020 on the importance of strengthening mutually-beneficial cooperation in overcoming common challenges brought about by COVID-19, including the resumption of essential travel while safeguarding public health and safety in both countries,” it said.
The statement said eligible applicants for the RGL or TCA are Indonesian citizens as well as Singapore citizens and residents.
These travellers will have to abide by the COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed by both countries, including pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests from mutually recognised health institutions.
Operational details including the procedural requirements, health protocols, and application process will be announced in due course, it said.
Singapore has implemented special travel arrangements with some countries and regions that include Malaysia, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam to facilitate travel while safeguarding public health.
