KUALA LUMPUR – Tourists heading to Langkawi do not need to undergo Covid-19 screening before visiting the island resort when it reopens September 16 onwards, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She added that private vehicles are not allowed onto the island and tourists are encouraged to use the services of tour agencies.
Nancy also advised those planning to travel to Langkawi for a holiday to be responsible tourists and follow the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) as their actions will determine the fate of the country's tourism sector, Bernama reported her as saying.
“We want to see how (the reopening of) Langkawi will impact the entire economic sector, especially the tourism sector.
“This will be a model of our (travel) bubble; we want and we hope Langkawi will be a good model to enable us to open more (travel) bubbles,” she told a press conference at the Parliament building today.
Nancy said there were proposals from the private sector to set up a centre for conducting swab tests for tourists going to Langkawi.
“It is a very good initiative, although it is not compulsory for individuals to go for swab tests… I have asked them to speak to the Langkawi Development Authority and I hope they can work together,” she added.
Yesterday, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah urged tourists to exercise caution ahead of the reopening of Langkawi as a holiday destination on September 16.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted a reminder that travellers from other states heading to Langkawi by land will need police letters to cross state lines and roadblocks, while those making the trip by air do not need such permits.
The ministry said it is prepared for a sudden surge in cases, and has increased the number of beds in intensive care units and taken other measures.
It has also set a threshold with regard to the hospitalisation rate as an indicator that proactive steps should be taken.
On September 2, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Langkawi has been chosen for Malaysia’s first travel bubble programme.
Nancy had previously said only the fully vaccinated are allowed to visit the island, and a police permit is required. – The Vibes, September 13, 2021
