Malaysia’s tourism minister has raised concerns over the recent announcement by the health director-general that the ongoing ban on interstate and inter-district travel, put in place since January 13, will likely continue until 70 to 80 per cent of the population has been vaccinated.
In a statement, Nancy Shukri said that she was worried that Noor Hisham Abdullah’s announcement would result in a worsening impact on the local tourism industry which has been severely affected for a year now.
New approach needed to balance public health with economic wellbeing amid pandemic: Shukri
She elaborated: “The tourism industry is closely related to the movement of people from one location to another. When there is no movement, it means there is no tourism and there is no economic activity, which in turn means, no jobs and no income for those working in this industry chain. Therefore, I hope to find a meeting point that can balance the health and economic wellbeing of the people.”
Stressing that a new approach is necessary in controlling the spread of Covid-19 apart from continuing the ban on cross-state travel, she said the ministry was willing to work with all parties to find the best way forward.
Malaysia’s tourism minister has raised concerns over the recent announcement by the health director-general that the ongoing ban on interstate and inter-district travel, put in place since January 13, will likely continue until 70 to 80 per cent of the population has been vaccinated.
In a statement, Nancy Shukri said that she was worried that Noor Hisham Abdullah’s announcement would result in a worsening impact on the local tourism industry which has been severely affected for a year now.
She elaborated: “The tourism industry is closely related to the movement of people from one location to another. When there is no movement, it means there is no tourism and there is no economic activity, which in turn means, no jobs and no income for those working in this industry chain. Therefore, I hope to find a meeting point that can balance the health and economic wellbeing of the people.”
Stressing that a new approach is necessary in controlling the spread of Covid-19 apart from continuing the ban on cross-state travel, she said the ministry was willing to work with all parties to find the best way forward.