SINGAPORE, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Singapore expects "very heavy traffic" at its two land checkpoints linking Malaysia during the upcoming school holidays from Friday to March 22, which coincide with the Hari Raya Puasa festival weekend, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Monday.
During the recent Chinese New Year period from Feb. 13 to 19, more than 3 million travelers crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, the authority said in a statement. Traffic peaked on Feb. 13, when nearly 565,000 people crossed the two checkpoints in a single day.
Car travelers departing during peak hours had to wait up to three hours for immigration clearance, the ICA said.
The authority added that it has stepped up security checks on arriving travelers, cargo and vehicles at all checkpoints in view of the heightened global security situation, including recent developments in the Middle East. Travelers should therefore expect longer waiting times.
The ICA advised travelers to check traffic conditions before setting off, use QR codes for immigration clearance and consider taking cross-border bus services to avoid congestion. ■
