After more than a year of separation and isolation, families, friends, and loved ones from other countries can soon reunite and visit each other in Malaysia without restrictions. Well, depending on where you’re from.
The Malaysian government is considering allowing fully vaccinated foreigners from certain nations to enter the country without being subjected to mandatory quarantine requirements. National Recovery Council chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said that this will happen in the near future.
He explained, “It will be through the mutual recognition of vaccine certificate scheme that has been established in some other nations.”
Muhyiddin Yassin added that this decision is to boost the economy of the country, particularly the tourism industry. Other economic activity, such as international conferences and retail, are likely to benefit from the reopening of borders.
He added that the consideration in reopening of international borders was for a long time and maybe the time has come (to implement it), with cross-district and interstate travel now allowed. Interstate and international travel resumed for Malaysians from Monday (11 October), after more than 90% of adults across Malaysia were fully vaccinated.
This news follows a drop in daily COVID-19 positive cases, a decrease in the use of intensive care unit ward beds to treat COVID-19 patients, and Malaysia’s high adult immunisation rate. Malaysia reported 6,145 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total so far to over 2.37 million.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said fully vaccinated travellers entering Malaysia will begin serving a reduced quarantine period of seven days from Monday (18 October) provided they have been fully vaccinated. Those subject to the reduction includes any citizen, permanent resident, expatriate, diplomatic corps, or any other foreigner allowed to enter the country from overseas by the Immigration director-general.
Individuals returning from high-risk infection areas are also allowed to reduce their period of quarantine.
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