Malaysia’s restricted movement order kicks into effect today (March 18) as its government announced a two-week national lockdown till March 31 in a bid to stop the spreading of COVID-19. The order includes the closing of the borders, and both locals and tourists will be prohibited from travelling in and out of Malaysia during the lockdown.

The move affects especially the Malaysians who commute daily to Singapore for work. Some companies (like SBS, which employs a number of Malaysian bus captains) have arranged temporary accommodation for their employees. This leaves some Malaysian workers scrambling back home to pack their belongings before braving the Causeway traffic jam again to make it back to Singapore before the order takes place.

We at 8days.sg feel for our Malaysian brethren who have to make the long commute across borders every day just to make a livin g — this period of pandemic, supermarket sweeps and restricted movement is truly humbling, and serves as a reminder for us to be kind and understanding towards one another. Cannot drive, just rest, remarks a JB carpool driver to us when we enquire about his livelihood for the next two weeks.

At 9pm on March 17, a few hours before the order started, an 8days.sg reader sent us photos of the Causeway. The area just in front of Singapore’s ICA checkpoint was teeming with motorcyclists, packed shoulder-to-shoulder like they’re at a rock concert.

While the lane from Singapore to JB was mostly deserted, the lane opposite was crammed with cars waiting to get to the Singapore checkpoint. “There was some honking,” says our reader.

At 12am, when the order started, the Causeway traffic showed no sign of letting up. But good news, the motorcycle scrum had successfully cleared customs, leaving cars to occupy the road.

The car line was still long. A lone police car parked briefly on the empty road to JB and left, but no cars were stopped from coming into Singapore. Looks like the jam will still take some time to clear, and we hope our Malaysian neighbours will make it safely here.

(Update at 1.20am: An 8 Days reader on the Malaysian side of the Causeway tells us that the local authorities have put up barricades to stop cars from leaving JB. The end of the vehicle line is now visible.)

The Causeway jam has cleared, leaving only cargo trucks waiting in their designated lane.

Singapore’s checkpoint is now completely — and unusually — empty after the last cars from Johor Bahru were cleared to enter here. Kudos to our ICA and the Malaysian Customs staff who worked hard to manage the crowd!

Zero vehicles on the Causeway nearing 5am, when it’s usually bustling with morning commuters.

Rare peace and quiet along the Causeway. Nearby residents tell us they are able to hear the birds chirp where they are typically surrounded by the sounds of engines revving and impatient vehicles honking.

Listen for yourself: