Perak ready to accept interstate travellers: Saarani

IPOH – Perak will not reject interstate travel but is ready instead to receive visitors and tourists in line with the government’s wish to relax travel restrictions when 90% of the country’s adult population has been fully vaccinated.

Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad said the relevant parties, including the local authorities and tourism industry players, should be prepared to tighten the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of Covid-19 once interstate travel is allowed.

“At today’s meeting, state Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi had raised this development, especially in relation to tourism.

“We are looking at the travel bubble in Langkawi Island and members of the public will definitely be travelling to major tourist destinations such as Pulau Pangkor when the borders are opened. Hence, some matters were raised like tightening SOPs and increasing the number of ferries for tourists to get there.

“We cannot reject the presence of the public at these destinations but it does not mean they are totally free. Today’s meeting agreed that all parties should place importance on adhering to the SOPs to reduce the risk of infection,” he said after a state government meeting here today.

Nolee Ashilin had reportedly said that the tourism bubble for Pulau Pangkor was being prepared and expected to be ready by next week, with a draft of the SOPs to be submitted to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry for review before the resort island can be reopened to visitors.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had also reportedly said that interstate travel may be allowed when 90% of the country’s adult population has been vaccinated based on the data gathered and analysis made by the Health Ministry.

As of yesterday, 88.4% of the country’s adult population has been fully vaccinated. This development indicates that the target of 90% may be achieved by this week.

According to the CovidNow website, 20,698,852 people or 88.4% of Malaysia’s population aged 18 and above are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. – Bernama, October 6, 2021