KUALA LUMPUR – In light of the detection of a second Omicron variant case in the country, the Health Ministry has decided to prohibit large-scale New Year celebration, said Khairy Jamaluddin.
In a press conference in Parliament today, the health minister said only small-form and private gatherings of New Year and Christmas are allowed to be held.
“Due to the detection of two confirmed Omicron variant cases and 18 other suspected cases, which underwent genomic sequencing, the Health Ministry would like to announce additional measures to prevent the spread of Omicron.
“The organisation of large New Year’s celebrations is not allowed.
“However, small-form celebrations of New Year or Christmas can happen for now, but those attending these celebrations must carry out Covid-19 self-tests beforehand,” he said.
Earlier, Khairy, who is also Rembau MP, revealed that Malaysia has recorded yet another case involving the Omicron variant following detection on December 14.
He said the confirmed Omicron case involves a Malaysian girl aged eight, who recently returned from Lagos, Nigeria.
“She lives with her family in Lagos. Prior to departure to Malaysia, her RT-PCR test results were negative.
“She arrived in Malaysia with her mother and younger sister on December 5 from Lagos via a transit flight in Doha, Qatar. Upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, they took a Covid-19 RT-PCR test and were ordered to undergo compulsory quarantine at home.
“The girl’s Covid-19 test results came back negative on December 7. She had no symptoms and was instructed to undergo isolation at home for 14 days.”
In confirming the second Omicron case in the country, he said another 18 cases are suspected to be of the same variant based on the first line of screening.
In addition, he also announced additional measures to address rising concerns and worries over the Omicron variant.
“Travellers returning from the United Kingdom will have to undergo Covid-19 self-tests every day throughout their quarantine period. This will come into effect tomorrow.
“For those who are fully vaccinated, they will have to self-test for a period of seven days. As for those who are not fully inoculated, they will have to undergo self-tests for 10 days.
“They will then have to report it on the MySejahtera app,” he said.
Despite the emergence of the Omicron variant in Malaysia earlier this month, checks on the ministry’s CovidNow portal revealed that the hospital admission rate in the country has been on a steady decline since September.
Meanwhile, data of Covid-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit shows that it has also been on a decline since September. – The Vibes, December 16, 2021
