[UPDATED] NRC recommends full border reopening on Mar 1, no quarantines

KUALA LUMPUR – The country’s international borders could be reopened as early as March 1, with travellers not required to undergo mandatory quarantine should the government decide to heed the recommendation of the National Recovery Council (NRC).

NRC chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the council is of the opinion that the borders should be fully opened in the near future to assist with Malaysia’s economic recovery.

“The council has agreed that the borders may fully reopen as early as March 1, without the need for quarantine,” he told a press conference after chairing NRC’s second meeting of the year today.

“However, a Covid-19 swab test must be done prior to departure and immediately upon arrival here, based on the recommendation of the Health Ministry.

“The reopening of the borders needs to be done in an organised manner and based on the current risk assessment.”

Muhyiddin said a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP), including whether the government agrees with the proposal to do away with the mandatory quarantine upon arrival, will be announced by the Health Ministry soon.

His announcement comes as Malaysia records its highest daily Covid-19 infections in four months, with the country logging 13,944 cases today, bringing the cumulative number to 2,939,198.

Malaysia has seen a steady increase in Covid-19 cases since the end of last month, as the Omicron variant continues to peak here.

According to Muhyiddin, the border reopening recommendation was made after listening to a briefing by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in today’s meeting on the ability of the country’s healthcare system to cope with the rise in infections.

“Based on the briefing, we can see that our healthcare system is able to deal with the pandemic, be it in terms of hospital beds, intensive care units and the number of doctors, we have everything.

“Even now, as cases continue to soar, we still have the capacity to support them, which is why the NRC is pleased by today’s decision, as we can now allow the economic recovery to be expedited.”

Muhyiddin said the full reopening of the borders will allow more foreign investors to enter the country, as well as push the tourism industry and its related sectors.

Asked if this is an indication that the government will not go back to imposing any form of movement restriction in the country, the former prime minister answered in the affirmative.

“We won’t go back (to imposing movement controls). I think the experience we have is sufficient to help us manage the situation. But we must always remember to adhere to all SOPs.”

Asked if SOPs for the coming Johor election were discussed in today’s NRC meeting, Muhyiddin said this was not brought up, but expressed hope that the positive development with regard to the Covid-19 situation means that political parties will have more freedom to conduct their campaigns.

“I hope there are some relaxations (in SOPs) to allow democracy to be practised more transparently, and that those involved in the election are given the chance to campaign without certain restrictions.”

In the recent Melaka and Sarawak elections, many parties and leaders have bemoaned the strict SOPs imposed by the government, which restricted them from taking part in any form of physical gatherings, with campaigning limited to online and through the dissemination of flyers. – The Vibes, February 8, 2022