PUTRAJAYA: Travellers who have received the COVID-19 vaccine are not exempt from complying with the prescribed COVID-19 infection prevention measures, including undergoing mandatory quarantine, says Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on March 12 had decided that risk assessments should be carried out on travellers who had received complete COVID-19 immunisation, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) had also not recommended that the vaccination could be used as an 'immunity passport' for travel purposes.
He said although countries with access to COVID-19 vaccines had begun inoculating their people since the end of 2020, more information was required to determine its effectiveness.
"For example, in terms of how much it reduces the transmission of infection and the period of immunity for a person who has received the COVID-19 vaccine," he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said travellers could apply for an exemption to undergo quarantine at quarantine stations based on several risk assessment criteria.
The criteria include evidence of having received the COVID-19 vaccine; travellers from low-risk countries; having a suitable place of residence here to undergo the quarantine, including no risk of exposure to other members of the house; and having a negative COVID-19 test result.
He said travellers who met the criteria could be given the flexibility to undergo mandatory quarantine at the residence, subject to quarantine conditions set by the government.
According to him, 61,931 individuals had returned to Malaysia between Jan 1 and March 27 this year, with 61,462 people undergoing mandatory quarantine at quarantine stations; 409 at their place of residence; 31 at the hospital; and 29 were Short Term Business Travelers (STBT).
"During the period, 2,743 applications were received for undergoing quarantine at home and getting an exemption from undergoing quarantine at quarantine stations, with 409 applications approved," he said.
The approved applications include 138 individuals due to health problems, 109 people who are caregivers to travellers with health problems, 14 people with a history of being COVID-19 positive, and 14 people under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement / Reciprocal Green Lane.
In the meantime, he said 285 individuals from the total had been given 'time-off' to visit family members who were ill, and to attend the funeral of close relatives.
"For those who apply to visit a sick family member or attend the funeral of a deceased family member, the traveller (Person Under Surveillance - PUS) will be given time off and will have to return to the quarantine station to complete the mandatory quarantine period," he said.
He said all the PUS were required to comply with strict SOPs by the MOH during their visit, and vehicles and escorts for the visits were managed at the quarantine station by the National Disaster Management Agency through the Malaysin Civil Defence Force (MCDF).
Dr Noor Hisham said this was because PUS travellers undergoing quarantine were at risk of transmitting the infection to people around them.
Based on monitoring carried out by the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre, there are 27 COVID-19 clusters involving index cases who arrived from abroad, with 2,019 positive cases reported between March 4, 2020 and March 26, 2021.
NOOR HISHAM-TRAVELLERS 4 (LAST) PUTRAJAYA
"The MOH will continue to monitor the development of COVID-19 infections within and outside the country, whereby screening for the disease among travellers from abroad will be continued at all Malaysian International Gateways," he said.
The government had briefly allowed Malaysian citizens to self-quarantine at home in June last year, but due to incidents of those ignoring the quarantine order, it was once again made mandatory for them to undergo quarantine at quarantine stations from July 24, 2020, at their own cost.
The rule is still in force to date.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Mar 30 2021
Dr Noor Hisham said travellers could apply for an exemption to undergo quarantine at quarantine stations based on several risk assessment criteria. Filepic/BERNAMA
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.