Synopsis
Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has warned of significant traffic at land checkpoints with Malaysia during the upcoming Chinese New Year. Travelers should expect delays and plan accordingly for immigration clearance from January 24 to February 2, amid enhanced checks.Key Takeaways
- Heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints.
- Travelers advised to account for delays.
- Over 24 million travelers during school holidays.
- Record of 562,000 crossings noted in a single day.
- Floral display 'Spring Blossoms' celebrates the festival.
Singapore, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore issued a warning on Monday regarding expected extensive traffic at its land checkpoints with Malaysia during the forthcoming Chinese New Year festivities.
In their announcement, the ICA urged travelers to prepare for delays and account for extra time for immigration processing from January 24 to February 2, due to ongoing enhanced checks.
The agency pointed out the increase in travel observed during the recent year-end school holidays, with over 24 million travelers passing through the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, representing a 20 percent rise compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
On December 20, 2024, a record of 562,000 crossings was documented in one day, exceeding the previous record of over 553,000 on December 13, 2024. The ICA noted that car travelers departing during peak hours faced waits of up to three hours for immigration clearance due to traffic congestion from Malaysia.
To facilitate smoother travel experiences, the ICA has recommended checking that passports have a minimum of six months’ validity and avoiding carrying prohibited or controlled items, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Singapore is hosting a floral exhibit titled 'Spring Blossoms' at the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay, inviting the public to partake in the festival that signifies renewal and family unity.
This display commenced last Friday and will be available until February 23.
The 2025 Lunar New Year is set for January 29, coinciding with the new moon and marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese New Year celebration, also referred to as Spring Festival, has been formally included by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
