The National Recovery Council (NRC) has once again put forth a recommended reopening of Malaysian borders to all vaccinated travellers without the need for mandatory quarantine, this time as early as March 1.
The NRC had in November 2021 recommended that the country’s borders be reopened to international travellers on January 1, 2022, but this was postponed indefinitely due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
National Recovery Council seeks the Malaysian government’s approval for a border reopening as early as March 1
Its chairman, Muhyiddin Yassin, told a press conference on February 8 that travellers intending to enter the country must undergo Covid-19 testing prior to departure and upon arrival in Malaysia. He said the reopening of the border would support the country’s economic recovery, the tourism industry and related industries.
Health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, who was also present at the press conference, said the Health Ministry will announce further pre-emptive Covid-19 measures, conditions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test and others should the government agree with the NRC’s recommendation for the reopening of the border next month.
Responding to the NRC’s recommendation for the reopening of the borders next month, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president, KL Tan, said: “This is definitely a positive step moving forward, taking into consideration our nation’s move towards the endemic phase (of Covid-19), our high vaccination rates and the capability of our public health infrastructure in managing this health crisis.
“As proven the world over, the containment of Covid-19 goes beyond lockdowns, movement control orders and extreme mobility restrictions. A holistic approach taking into consideration economic activities for the well-being of the people must now be a priority.
“MATTA had earlier urged the government to revamp its current policies, and its overly-cautious quarantine rules and testing procedures which should be based on mortality rates and the category of infection levels. Repeating the same approach since 23 months ago and expecting progress is simply not producing good results.”
Malaysian Association of Hotels CEO, Yap Lip Seng, said “a forward blueprint on the reopening plans” is needed next to enable the tourism industry to strategise and “market Malaysia as a choice destination”.
It is also imperative for Malaysia to take into account the best practices of other countries which have reopened their borders so that Malaysia remains an attractive destination for tourists, opined Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners executive director, Shaharuddin M Saaid.
He said: “We have to minimise the inconvenience for tourists while at the same time, ensuring good enforcement and compliance of SOPs.”
The National Recovery Council (NRC) has once again put forth a recommended reopening of Malaysian borders to all vaccinated travellers without the need for mandatory quarantine, this time as early as March 1.
The NRC had in November 2021 recommended that the country’s borders be reopened to international travellers on January 1, 2022, but this was postponed indefinitely due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Its chairman, Muhyiddin Yassin, told a press conference on February 8 that travellers intending to enter the country must undergo Covid-19 testing prior to departure and upon arrival in Malaysia. He said the reopening of the border would support the country’s economic recovery, the tourism industry and related industries.
Health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, who was also present at the press conference, said the Health Ministry will announce further pre-emptive Covid-19 measures, conditions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test and others should the government agree with the NRC’s recommendation for the reopening of the border next month.
Responding to the NRC’s recommendation for the reopening of the borders next month, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president, KL Tan, said: “This is definitely a positive step moving forward, taking into consideration our nation’s move towards the endemic phase (of Covid-19), our high vaccination rates and the capability of our public health infrastructure in managing this health crisis.
“As proven the world over, the containment of Covid-19 goes beyond lockdowns, movement control orders and extreme mobility restrictions. A holistic approach taking into consideration economic activities for the well-being of the people must now be a priority.
“MATTA had earlier urged the government to revamp its current policies, and its overly-cautious quarantine rules and testing procedures which should be based on mortality rates and the category of infection levels. Repeating the same approach since 23 months ago and expecting progress is simply not producing good results.”
Malaysian Association of Hotels CEO, Yap Lip Seng, said “a forward blueprint on the reopening plans” is needed next to enable the tourism industry to strategise and “market Malaysia as a choice destination”.
It is also imperative for Malaysia to take into account the best practices of other countries which have reopened their borders so that Malaysia remains an attractive destination for tourists, opined Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners executive director, Shaharuddin M Saaid.
He said: “We have to minimise the inconvenience for tourists while at the same time, ensuring good enforcement and compliance of SOPs.”