[UPDATED] Screen for Covid-19 at least 48 hours before departure: Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR – Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has backtracked a decision by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, saying that tourists travelling to Langkawi must be screened for Covid-19 at least 48 hours before departure.

“RT-PCR or RTK-Antigen tests must be conducted 48 hours before departure and the test results must be presented at ports of entry (airport or ferry terminal) for inspection,” he said.

Results from self-test kits are accepted.

This comes a day ahead of the island resort’s reopening tomorrow.

“Tourists can purchase a saliva test kit and bring it along to the airport or ferry terminal to undergo the Covid-19 detection test at the screening place provided.

“They can also purchase saliva test kits through a service provided by the private sector at the screening place, at the airport or ferry terminal and undergo the detection test there,” Khairy said in a statement today.

Previously, Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said tourists heading to Langkawi do not need to undergo Covid-19 screening before visiting the island resort.

Khairy said the Covid-19 detection tests will be performed on adult individuals (18 years old and above) as well as adolescents and children (aged seven to 17 years old).

“For children six years and below, only symptomatic screening will be performed taking into consideration their ability to produce saliva.

“These children must be with parents or guardians who are fully vaccinated, not a positive case or a close contact to a positive case and must adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) set.”

The Rembau MP added that the tests carried out at airports and ferry terminals will be monitored and verified by health personnel on duty.

“For those who are tested negative, they will be allowed to continue with their travel plans, whereas for those who are tested positive, they will not be allowed to continue travelling and will be managed in accordance with existing SOPs.”

Khairy said that the implementation of the tourism bubble does not mean that the government is giving relaxation to the people to not observe public health measures such as wearing masks, physical distancing and regular handwashing.

“I will also like to emphasise that the success of bringing the country out of the pandemic does not only depend on the government’s efforts and strategies but also very much on the level of compliance of the society to the set SOPs.

“If the people take this relaxation lightly, it is not impossible that the situation may worsen again.

“I sincerely hope that the whole society can take advantage of the flexibility provided and continue to adopt the culture of new norms in our daily lives. Remember, the success of curbing this pandemic involves the involvement and holistic approach by the government as well as the community,” he said. – The Vibes, September 15, 2021