Malaysia’s National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme will kick off on February 24, two days ahead of schedule to drive the country’s economic recovery.
The first phase that runs up to April will inoculate frontliners, which could include teachers. The second phase, from April to August, is reserved for high-risk groups while the third phase, scheduled to start in May, are for the general public, aged 18 and above.
By 1Q2022, an estimated 27 million Malaysians representing 80 per cent of the population, would have received their shots.
Tourism players say the national vaccination rollout spells a new beginning but the process of tourism recovery will be a drawn out one.
N Subramaniam, president, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), told TTG Asia: “The national vaccination programme is surely the light at the end of the Covid-19 tourism tunnel but domestic travel recovery will only be felt from 2H2021 as vaccination for the general public is only scheduled to start in May. The timing of release of interstate travel is also a key to domestic travel recovery.”
MAH has projected average hotel occupancies to fall below 20 per cent in the first quarter this year.
Subramaniam did not foresee international borders reopening this year, other than for some business and essential travel. Thus, recovery for leisure arrivals and large-scale business events will be hindered, he opined.
Uzaidi Udanis, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president, was more hopeful. As many other countries had started their vaccination programmes ahead of Malaysia, he hoped Malaysian borders would reopen in 4Q2021, at least to allow intra-ASEAN travel.
Nigel Wong, honorary secretary-general at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, opined that the global roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines would boost people’s confidence to travel, both domestically and abroad, as well as bring about the resumption of life as normal at home.
Wong said the national vaccination programme would lead the recovery of domestic tourism first, followed by international travel.
The government is also looking into developing a Covid-19 vaccine passport for those who have been inoculated, something which Uzaidi said would further strengthen consumers’ travel confidence.
Crystal, which manages a range of luxury cruise lines, now requires all guests to be fully inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to their cruise, with proof of vaccination to be provided before embarkation.
The updated health and safety protocols also specifies that guests must have received both doses of the vaccine if recommended by the manufacturer by that timeline.
The compulsory vaccine requirement augments the company’s comprehensive Crystal Clean+ 4.0 measures, which includes negative Covid-19 tests for both guests and crew, pre-boarding temperature checks at the terminal, a nimble mask policy, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures, reduced capacity and more.
“We are encouraged by the progress being made with the Covid-19 vaccines and what this means for our Crystal Family and the travel industry as a whole as we eagerly look forward to exploring the world again,” said Crystal’s interim president and CEO, Jack Anderson in a press statement.
“We know that peace of mind is the greatest luxury, and the vaccine requirement is simply the best way to ensure the safest possible Crystal Experience for all on board. This sentiment is underscored by conversations with our guests and travel partners and a recent of (study) that revealed that more than 80 per cent of respondents would cruise if a vaccine were required,” Anderson added.
As of February 18, the company has voluntarily paused operations through May 2021 for its River fleet, into June for its Ocean ships, through August 1 for Crystal Esprit and through August for Crystal Endeavor, allowing most travellers sufficient time to get fully vaccinated before sailing resumption.
Crystal’s crew are expected to be vaccinated as well when the company resumes sailing, subject to their age and/or the availability of vaccines in their home countries.
“As part of the company’s Crystal Clean+ 4.0 measures, crew members will be tested for Covid-19 prior to leaving their home location to join the ship and must receive a negative result. They also will take a test at embarkation; quarantine for seven days upon arrival; be tested again at the end of that seven-day period and must receive a negative result before beginning their duties,” Anderson noted. “When vaccines are widely available, it will be a requirement of employment for crew, which must be completed at least 14 days prior to service.”
Crystal will continue to evaluate and update its health and safety protocols according to the latest scientific data and expert guidance.