KUALA LUMPUR: The Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) between Malaysia and Singapore that will commence from Aug 10 will allow both nations to assess their readiness to reopen trade and aid in the recovery of their economies amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Economic analyst Associate Professor Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said the implementation of the two travel schemes would spur the economic recovery of both nations.
"We cannot rely on domestic economic activities as the main engine to revive the sector, but we have to slowly learn to engage with other trading nations to expedite our economic recovery in the new normal.
"From this, the highly damaged tourism sector will get a boost as Singaporeans can travel into Malaysia and vice versa. The expenditure from the travels will help the travel, hotel and retail sectors recover.
"The reopening will also allow Malaysians to continue working in Singapore.
"Their earnings will help their families and the money spent back at home would spur economic growth (in Malaysia).
"As our second-largest trading partner, Singapore plays a major role in our economy. This implementation is the perfect solution to test our nation's readiness to restart trade engagement."
Dr Aimi said the move would allow citizens of both nations to follow the same standard operating procedures against Covid-19.
"Initially, it may create uneasiness on both sides, as people may need time to familiarise with each other's new normal.
"However, should there be a second wave of Covid-19, both countries will have a long curve of economic recovery, which will drain both nations' savings and possibly result in massive bankruptcies and unemployment."
Physician and health systems specialist, Dr Khor Swee Kheng, said the RGL and PCA arrangement between Malaysia and Singapore was timely as it allowed for the gradual resumption of routine business travel between the two closely-linked nations.
"There are elements for both nations to consider. The distinction between RGL and PCA must be made clear, easily understood and with easily administered definitions on what is considered essential business.
"There should also be a move to harmonise regulatory standards between the two nations.
"For example, a minimum and harmonised standard for testing, laboratory and privacy standards for the controlled itinerary.
"The RGL and PCA should be considered the first Asean-wide attempt at a bilateral travel corridor and can be a solution that is used by other Asean countries."
Epidemiologist Dr Sanjay Rampal said maintaining border control and restrictions was important to prevent importing Covid-19.
"We can mitigate the risk of transmission by testing these travellers before departure, on arrival and having active symptomatic surveillance of them while they are here for up to 14 days post-arrival period.
"It will be interesting to know if the travellers will be given a tracker. Or whether they would have to download any application, such as MySejahtera, for the authorities to track them.
"The maximum number of times people can travel under the PCA schemes is about four times annually and I think that will limit the risk of virus transmission as they would be constantly tested."
Dr Sanjay said having a second wave of the virus was inevitable.
"Sometimes, we shouldn't fear it because anything and everything poses a risk.
"So what we should have by now is a prepared system, proper planning in tracking movement of those who come into our border, so that if they somehow become positive, our public health services can immediately intervene."