KUALA LUMPUR – Tourists from 50 countries and those with a 14-day travel history to those countries will not be allowed to join the Langkawi travel bubble for the time being.
The Health Ministry issued list of 24 high-risk countries that have yet to see Omicron cases. The list will be updated weekly, and will take into account Covid-19 cases and immunisation rates there.
The affected countries in Europe are Russia, Georgia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Guernsey and Croatia.
In addition, French Guiana, Philippines, Libya, Jordan and Bangladesh are on the list.
The ministry also included 10 African countries for the time being – Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, the ministry also listed 26 countries with cases of the Omicron variant that are barred from the Langkawi travel bubble.
Tourists and travellers from those countries or with a 14-day travel history to them are not allowed to enter Langkawi.
As for Langkawi residents (citizens and long-distance visit pass holders) coming from the 26 countries or with a history of travel to those countries within 14 days will have to land in KLIA.
They will then undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine stations before being allowed to continue their journey to Langkawi.
Direct flights to Langkawi are not allowed.
The list of 26 countries are: United Kingdom, Portugal, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Nigeria, Belgium, Japan, Brazil, Norway, Czech Republic, France/Reunion Island, Austria, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Republic of Ireland, UAE and the US (California).
On November 27, the ministry announced that travellers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter Malaysia.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had said Malaysian citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders are allowed to enter the country but must observe a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated quarantine centres. – The Vibes, December 2, 2021
