LANGKAWI – The National Security Council and Health Ministry have been urged to review the implementation of movement curbs, with Tourism Langkawi saying the current conditional movement control order (CMCO) is close to paralysing some segments of the economy.
Its pro tem president, Ahmad Pishol Isahak, called for the CMCO to be fine-tuned to allow the resumption of tourism and trade despite the inter-district travel ban.
“We should have a merit system – rewarding communities that maintain green zones within their localities or districts, and punishing those who refuse to heed the standard operating procedures. If we do not innovate, many travel trade members will continue to close shop.”
Many tourist hotspots are abiding by the rules as they need visitors to return, he said.
“Travel should be allowed between green-zone districts.”
For example, Langkawi is a green zone, as are certain other areas in Kedah, as well as Perlis.
Residents in these areas should be allowed to visit another green zone, said Pishol.
He added that if visitors test negative for Covid-19 and undergo quarantine, they should be allowed to travel.
He urged Tourism Malaysia to make preparations for tourists’ return, in view of reports that a vaccine may be in the market by the middle of next year.
“We need to be ready when the market reopens. We need to bring back chartered flights and empower commercial airliners. We need to extend subsidies for a while to allow the private sector to recover their business momentum.”
Pishol urged tourism planners to position Malaysia better regionally with green-zone nations, so that the country can leverage the recovery in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob previously said Putrajaya is studying a proposal to allow travel between green-zone states under the CMCO, in a bid to boost domestic tourism.
Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president Uzaidi Udanis said he is looking forward to the proposal being implemented.
“As long as entire states are treated like red zones, their economies cannot recover. Everything is at a standstill, and the industry is suffering. So, allowing targeted travel will help.”
Malaysian Association of Hotels chief executive Yap Lip Seng said the proposal is welcomed, but added that the government must rebuild people’s confidence to travel again. – The Vibes, November 17, 2020
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