LANGKAWI – The Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) will seek approval from the National Security Council (NSC) to allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists to enter November onwards, as the island resort gradually reopens its leisure sector.
Lada chief executive Nasaruddin Abdul Mutalib said the island has fared well with its domestic reopening under the tourism bubble programme two weeks ago.
State health authorities have yet to receive reports of tourists returning home who had been infected during their holiday here, he added.
“We expect close to 30,000 people will visit the island by the end of this month. It also means that we are also ready to embrace foreign tourists,” he said after marking the World Tourism Day celebrations at the Dash Resort here.
The development authority has also started negotiations with the NSC over the prospects of bringing in foreign tourists.
Among the suggestions mooted were that they need to be fully vaccinated, only chartered flights are allowed in, and they need to produce Covid-19 test results 48 hours before departure, while their stay here can be mid- to long-term.
According to Nasaruddin, Lada will also improve the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign tourists with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
“We hope that Langkawi can be an example to other tourist destinations in the country on how to reopen tourism amid a pandemic.”
However, there were 113 fresh infections recorded here and one death yesterday. There are 475 active cases here, with 68 deaths of the total 5,097 cases.
District health officer Dr Mansor Ismail has implored residents to take heed and follow the SOPs – wear masks, observe physical distancing and regular hand sanitisation, and adhere to quarantine measures.
Lada officials have urged the island’s travel trade community to find ways to better brand Langkawi’s status as a Unesco geopark site, as the accreditation is a testament to its rich natural resources. – The Vibes, September 28, 2021
