KUALA LUMPUR – Tourists who have their travel plans cut short after testing positive for Covid-19 need not worry about having their flights and tour packages cancelled, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Affected individuals can choose to defer their holidays under the same package, according to Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (Batang Sadong-PBB).
This comes amid concerns that individuals who tested positive prior to their flights or trips to “travel bubble” destinations might lose out financially as they are not able to travel.
“Hotels as well as travel agents registered with their respective associations will not provide a refund, but they have agreed to allow for the trip to be deferred. You can use the same package.
“The same applies to flights. They also allow for deferment, so you don’t lose out,” she said in Parliament today.
She was responding to a question from Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau-PH) on the government’s effort to assist those forced to refrain from travelling after testing positive.
Earlier, Bakhtiar had said that the government must switch its strategy to cater to the change in travelling behaviour, with more people now travelling in small groups, and most also making last-minute plans.
“This is unlike before when people would book two to three months earlier. Now there are so many uncertainties. Take for example the five individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 recently before travelling to Langkawi.
“Will the hotels and travel agencies give them a refund? This has to be addressed,” he said.
Langkawi was opened to tourists on September 16, and became the first travel bubble destination in the country, as the government bids to reopen mass tourism after over a year of closure.
Travellers were not initially required to undergo Covid-19 testing, but following backlash from the public, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced on September 15 that all travellers must be screened prior to entering the island.
The government aims to reopen more travel destinations soon, with Malacca, Genting Highlands, and Tioman Island all set to accept tourists beginning October 1.
Interstate travelling is also set to be allowed once the adult vaccination rate reaches 90%. – The Vibes, September 23, 2021
