SINGAPORE — Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to establish a reciprocal green lane, which will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes to resume between the two countries.

Applications for the reciprocal green lane will open on Oct 26 and travel will commence soon after, the foreign affairs ministries of both countries said in a joint statement on Monday (Oct 12).

In a phone conversation, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister, and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi recalled their discussion in August on "the importance of strengthening mutually-beneficial cooperation in overcoming common challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, including the resumption of essential travel while safeguarding public health and safety in both countries”, the statement said.

Eligible applicants for the green lane, also referred to by Indonesia as the Travel Corridor Arrangement, are Singapore citizens and residents as well as Indonesian citizens.

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 swab tests from mutually recognised health institutions. 

Operational details of the green lane, including the procedural requirements, health protocols and application process will be announced later, the statement added.

Singapore has also established similar travel arrangements with countries such as Brunei, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.