More than 5,000 people travelled quarantine-free by land VTL in the first five days after border measures were eased, Singapore’s The Straits Times (ST) reported.

Another 2,771 people entered Singapore from Malaysia through air VTL over the same period.

The rules were relaxed on Nov 29 for those fully vaccinated, allowing many families to reunite for the first time since borders were shut in March last year.

ST reported that a total of 4,343 people had left Singapore for Malaysia under the air VTL as of 3pm on Friday, or just about 60% of the total number allowed.

It said entry into Singapore via the Causeway was far more muted, with only 690 making the trip as at 3pm on Friday, or just about 9.5% of the total number allowed.

The VTL has a quota of 2,880 a day, with up to 1,440 fully vaccinated allowed to travel in each direction.

Only citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders of the country they are entering can travel under the first phase of the land VTL, which operates with designated bus services.

The travellers do not have to undergo quarantine upon arrival. Instead, they have to take two Covid-19 tests before entering either Malaysia or Singapore.