KUALA LUMPUR – Barring those from the United Kingdom, foreign students – both existing and new ones – will be able to enter Malaysia to resume their studies starting next month.
This was announced by Senior Security Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily update today, adding that the directive involves university and international school students.
“They need to be screened for Covid-19 three days before departure and will undergo another screening when they reach KLIA. For international school students, their guardians will also be allowed to enter Malaysia.
“They will be taken to a quarantine centre for 10 days. The costs of the tests will be borne by the students. However, only those who have already secured proper accommodations will be allowed entry into Malaysia.
“If they don’t have it (accommodations), then we will not allow them to enter the country.”
On October 4, the government announced that entry of all international students had been postponed to December 31.
Also announced was the extension and ending of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) enforced in several localities in Bentong.
The extended EMCOs involve the Amber Court and Ria apartments which have been extended to January 6.
“We have done 1,183 screenings at Amber Court, 381 of them were positive and 85 are still pending results.
“As for Ria Apartment, 1,041 tests were done and new risks of infection have been detected due to close contacts.”
The EMCO that will end tomorrow – as scheduled – is the one enforced at Rumah Kongsi Kg Semaut.
Meanwhile, he said he is pleased with Malaysians’ compliance of the three basic Covid-19 SOPs namely, donning masks in public, physically distancing and handwashing.
“Based on a study by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) (from August to December) only a small minority did not comply with the SOPs.
“Some 96.7% wear facemasks, 90% practice social distancing and 88.7% wash their hands with soaps. This is a good sign that many have realised the importance of these SOPs.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to congratulate all Malaysians.” – The Vibes, December 22, 2020