SINGAPORE, March 31 — 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 Friday (April 3) to Sunday (April 5).
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,” the ICA said in an advisory posted on its official website.
It added that the recent March school holiday and Hari Raya Aidilfitri weekend from March 13 to Sunday (March 22) saw over five million travellers cross the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.
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,” the ICA said.
