KUALA LUMPUR – Those who have received both shots of the Covid-19 vaccine may soon be permitted to travel to meet family members staying across state borders.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government is considering giving some leeway to those who are fully vaccinated and have been separated from their families and partners due to movement restrictions.
In an Instagram post, he said he took note of the grouses posted by netizens of not being able to meet their spouses, parents, and children due to the travel ban.
Being a father himself, Ismail Sabri said, he understood the importance of a family institution and that even in the context of safety factors, parents should not be forced to be separated from their children for long periods.
“This is especially true if the parents have received both doses of the vaccine,” he said in his post today, with an accompanying collage of comments made to him by social media users.
“As such, I have constantly raised this issue at National Security Council meetings, to consider giving those who have been fully inoculated flexibility to meet their family members.
“Insya-Allah, the government is ironing out the proposal to allow long-distance relationships and families to be reunited.”
After just over an hour, the Instagram post garnered over 7,300 likes and 600 comments, with users sharing their views on Ismail Sabri’s statement.
One user, @mshaifuddin90, proposed that those planning to travel should at least be given RTK-Ag Covid-19 tests.
@rafi_90, who made a similar proposal, suggested that those travelling interstate should be required to submit their Covid-19 test results to the police.
@_yusofsyafinas, however, said the move would be unfair to those who have registered for the vaccine but have yet to even receive their first dose.
Malaysians are currently barred from travelling across state borders as the government imposes strict movement restrictions to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has shown no signs of slowing down.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has, however, on several occasions indicated that restrictions will soon be eased for those who have been fully vaccinated, as the country pushes to get as many Malaysians as possible to take the jab. – The Vibes, July 22, 2021
.jpeg)
