Putrajaya’s announcement on the reopening of the borders as the country advances to the endemic stage has resulted in varied opinions and reactions amongst fellow Malaysians.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob stated that Malaysia is all set to reopen its borders to international travellers from 1st April onwards, in order to revive and rejuvenate the country’s tourism sector.
During yesterday’s press conference (8th March), Ismail Sabri said Malaysian returnees as well as visitors are not required to undergo quarantine upon arrival if they are fully vaccinated.
However, they are required to do a RT-PCR test two days before departure and a rapid test (RTK) upon arrival.
Meanwhile, the entrance procedures for travellers who have not been fully vaccinated will be addressed by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Wednesday (9th March), said the PM in Parliament yesterday.
The public seemed to have mixed feelings upon hearing the Prime Minister’s announcement.
Previn, a 25-year-old lad, was pleased with the announcement in regards to the reopening of the border. His profession requires him to go back and forth from Australia to Malaysia.
“I’m relieved and glad to know that I won’t have to go through the quarantine phase when I return to Malaysia, since it consumes a lot of time and money,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shalini, 27, who works at a local IT company, believes that COVID-19 cases would continue to rise as a result of this announcement.
“The cases are still in the five digits; how is it reasonable to reopen the border? This decision will surely increase the number of cases, and the situation will quickly spiral out of control,” she said.
“Keep in mind that the coronavirus and its emerging new variations are a threat that we all should be aware of; to everyone who has decided to travel, please strictly obey the SOPs and be cautious everywhere you go,” she advises.
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