Those who have been identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 positive case do not need to be quarantined if they have no symptoms on the first day of exposure and have received their boosters.
Individuals who are close contacts do not need to be quarantined if they are asymptomatic and have had booster shots, according to the Health Minister during a recent press conference.
With the country approaching an endemic status, Khairy Jamaluddin said the government had agreed to new measures for close contact management after rigorous risk evaluations.
“When we look at the statistics on Covid-19 variations, it indicates that when someone is fully vaccinated and given a booster dosage, their virus load is low.” he continued.
“When we look at the data on Covid-19 variants, it shows that an individual’s viral load is low when they are fully vaccinated and given a booster dose,” he added.
“If a person is asymptomatic, then it is highly likely that their viral load is low. We still have our own safeguards by requiring the individual to undergo tests and self-health assessments.”
Based on the risk assessments, with increased vaccination and booster dose coverage, added with the decoupling of daily cases and the severe effects of COVID-19, they believe this is a policy we can introduce.
The new close contact procedure would start on 1st March.
Yes, you are not required to go for a quarantine phase but you must undergo self-tests on Day One and Day Three after their exposure. If you test negative, you can carry on with your usual activities.
“If they test positive, then they must report to MySejahtera,” he added.
Those yet to get their booster jabs and has been in close contact with no symptoms are required to undergo a five-day quarantine, Khairy stated.
The Star reported, those who identified as close contacts would receive the Home Assessment Tool and must fill up a questionnaire.
He added “If you are not symptomatic, then you will not be given a Home Surveillance Order and your MySejahtera status will remain normal,”
On a separate matter, Khairy said the deadline for senior citizens and Sinovac vaccine adult recipients to receive their booster shots had been extended to 31st March.
Starting from 1st April, the vaccination status will be changed to ‘incomplete’ if you have not received a booster dose.
“Please encourage those with senior family members to receive their booster shots,” he advised.
