KUALA LUMPUR – Fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to apply for police permits for interstate travel tomorrow onwards, with the exception of areas under the enhanced movement control order, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The announcement comes as the country inches closer to its 90% target for fully vaccinated adults, with 89.7% jabbed as of 11.59pm yesterday.
However, Ismail Sabri said the lifting of the interstate travel ban only applies to those who are fully vaccinated, and those who have yet to be fully immunised or refused to receive vaccinations will not be allowed to do so.
This ruling does not apply to adolescents and children under the age of 18, he said, adding it is up to parents to ensure the safety and health of their families when travelling outstation.
Effective tomorrow, he said, the MyTravelPass system will be phased out.
“This means that any (Malaysian) citizen can go abroad, including for tourism and unofficial activities,” he said, adding that this only applies to the fully vaccinated.
He said the 14-day quarantine period upon returning to Malaysia still applies, and that Malaysians may travel to any country.
“The conditions are the same (for official trips), as they must do swab tests three days before returning to the country and another test as soon as they reach Malaysia.
“Visitors from abroad will be placed in designated quarantine centres, but our citizens can quarantine at home, while the Health Ministry will place them in quarantine centres for certain cases.”
Asked whether this meant that foreigners can visit Malaysia for tourism, Ismail Sabri said this is not allowed yet as the government is still looking into the matter.
On the decision on interstate travel and the MyTravelPass system, he said Health Ministry data shows an 83% reduction in intensive care admissions and an 88% dip in deaths, which bring the country closer to moving to the endemic phase of Covid-19.
“There are currently 180 standard operating procedures, to be reduced later. However, we must train ourselves to live with Covid-19, which might not be fully eradicated. What’s most important is that we take action to protect ourselves to ensure we are safe.”
On whether the government will reinstate travel restrictions if there is a spike in cases, Ismail Sabri said the relaxing of rules will be ongoing, but closures will only involve specific affected areas.
“For example, we won’t close all of Langkawi, we will only close the affected hotel. If this happens in Bera, only some places will be put under EMCO, and localities that will not disrupt economic activities.
“Even if cases increase, closures will only involve areas where there are many cases. We have to ensure that our lives can go on as usual and without closures, but with compliance with SOPs set by the government.”
He also said he hoped Malaysians would not take the SOPs lightly even though they now have the freedom to travel.
The prime minister said Act 342 of the Prevention and Control of Infections Diseases Act 1988 is still in effect, which allows authorities to act on any violations.
“Police can still hold random inspections at places such as R&R centres, even though there will no longer be specific roadblocks. Op Benteng will still be implemented, and police can check one’s MySejahtera to ensure you have received two vaccine doses.”
However, he said the government has yet to set the date for an announcement on the endemic phase, which will be determined by the Health Ministry and National Security Council.
“This (relaxation) has been highly anticipated as we are closer to the 90% vaccination target and Keluarga Malaysia can move about and return to their hometowns,” he said in a press conference this afternoon.
“Since there are no more restrictions on interstate travel, tourism activities will be allowed. I wish to congratulate Keluarga Malaysia for their support and cooperation in the government’s Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme.”
Based on data from the CovidNow website, 21,003,074 individuals have been fully vaccinated, leaving 0.3% more to go.
The data also showed that 94.7% of adults, or 22,176,018 people, have received at least one dose.
On Friday, the Bera MP assured that interstate travel will be allowed nationwide, after announcing last month that it would be allowed once 90% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated.
Yesterday, Malaysia dished out 83,443 doses to adults, 8,236 of which are first doses while 75,207 are second jabs.
In total, the vaccination programme has given 43,067,793 jabs since February 24.
As for adolescents aged 12-17, 204,536 (6.5%) have completed their vaccination while 2,248,867 (71.5%) have gotten at least a single dose. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
