Recently, the government decided to open the country’s tourism sector in several destinations as part of the tourism bubble programme, subject to certain conditions. To begin, Langkawi was chosen as a test program to reopen to local tourists beginning 16th September.
The second meeting of the COVID-19 Quartet Ministers agreed to propose three more destinations under the tourism bubble programme, which is currently being implemented in Langkawi.
Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, stated that the proposal included Genting Highlands, Melaka, and Tioman.
She stated that the decision would be presented today to the COVID-19 Special Management Committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, before being finalised, which would include refining the standard operating procedures (SOP) set.
She also said that if it is agreed, the three locations, Genting Highlands, Melaka, and Tioman, will be allowed to open on 1st October with the SOP refined and set because it also involves tourist destinations on the mainland.
Nancy stated that, in addition to the three areas, there are several other tourist areas that, if agreed upon, will be announced later.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of this month, we were bombarded with news about our country preparing to enter the endemic COVID-19 phase, with more vaccinated people, as Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin stated that people need to accept that COVID-19 would be here to stay and therefore stating that it was time to “live with the virus,” according to The Star.
How do you see this proposal moving ahead toward our country’s endemic COVID-19 phase? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Source: FMT
