As Singapore gears up for the Chinese New Year, heavy traffic is expected at the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints from January 26 to 31. Security has also been tightened at these checkpoints.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority(ICA), through a press release said, “ About 400,000 travellers use the land checkpoints daily and this number is expected to increase to 430,000 during peak periods. With security checks, traffic build-up is inevitable and delays will be expected especially when a large number of travellers and conveyances choose to cross the land links at the same time.
Motorists have been advised to check the traffic situation at both land checkpoints before embarking on their journey through LTA’s Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along the AYE and BKE respectively.
ICA has further stated, “Travellers are reminded to check and ensure that they are using their own passports with a remaining validity of six months or more before setting off on their journey. Last year, about 800 cases of Singaporeans were detected at our land checkpoints for using wrong passports or passports earlier reported as lost or stolen. Such cases will lead to delays and cause inconvenience to the passport holders and other checkpoints user.”
Passports which had been reported lost or stolen can no longer be used for travelling even if they are found subsequently. These passports will be cancelled by ICA, and any attempt to use them is an offence under the Passports Act and may be punished by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both. Passports that have been recovered must be surrendered to the ICA within 14 days to prevent abuse by persons with ill-intent. Failure to surrender the recovered passport is an offence under the Passports Regulations and may be punished by a fine of up to S$3,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.
Travellers have also been reminded not to bring in prohibited items such as firecrackers.