[UPDATED] MoH drops quarantine rule for boosted, asymptomatic Covid-19 close contacts

KUALA LUMPUR – Close contacts to Covid-19 positive cases aged 18 and above who have received all three vaccine doses, and remain asymptomatic, will no longer have to undergo mandatory quarantine.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the new standard operating procedure during a press conference today, saying the new rule will come into effect beginning March 1.

As a safeguard, Khairy said asymptomatic close contacts must conduct self-tests on the day they find out their exposure to a positive case, and another test on the third day.

“They will have to do these tests themselves, and upload the results into the MySejahtera application.”

He said these are among the steps being taken by the government and Health Ministry (MoH) as the country moves towards endemicity. 

“Yes, it is a step towards endemicity; we have not reached an endemic phase, but with high vaccine and booster dose coverage, MoH feels, based on risks assessments carried out, that this policy can be introduced as part of the Covid-19 management plan.”

However, he said close contacts with three doses of vaccines who begin to experience symptoms will still have to undergo the mandatory five-day quarantine.

Existing regulations for those with only two doses or incomplete vaccinations, and those under the age of 18, still apply. 

Khairy also announced the reopening of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (Maeps) Covid-19 treatment centre beginning tomorrow, just two weeks after announcing the centre’s closure. 

The minister explained MoH decided to reopen the Maeps Centre to ease the burden on other public hospitals and lower the risk factor of Covid-19 patients spreading the infections to non-Covid patients. 

“So, we decided to reopen Maeps with 100 beds at first, and up to 850 beds on standby if needed; Maeps had, at the peak of the Delta variant wave, around 10,000 beds deployed. 

“Also, given how they have decided to hospitalise Category Two and Three patients as a preemptive measure, the space at Maeps will allow the burden to be reduced in other public hospitals,” he said. 

Khairy also announced a deadline extension for all Sinovac vaccine recipients and senior citizens aged 60 and above to get their booster shots by March 31 to maintain their fully vaccinated status. 

“Beginning April 1, the fully vaccinated status will change to show an incomplete vaccination status if those affected have yet to receive their booster doses,” he said. – The Vibes, February 24, 2022