KUALA LUMPUR – Tourists who will be travelling to Langkawi from 16 September onwards must go for mandatory Covid-19 screening prior to their journey.
Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said that the measure is taken to ensure that no increment of cases or new Covid-19 cluster would emerge following the relaxation granted by the government to fully vaccinated individuals.
Only those tested negative of Covid-19 can continue their journey to Langkawi.
Among the factors considered by the government in implementing the travel bubble pioneer project in Langkawi was the coverage of fully vaccinated adult residents in the island has reached 89.9 percent. Meanwhile, 91.8 percent of the adult population in the island have received at least one dose of vaccine.
“However, this pioneer project must be implemented carefully to ensure its smooth execution and not cause the increment of cases or new clusters.
“Therefore, the government needs to ensure that all tourists who would be having their holidays in Langkawi are fully vaccinated, not Covid-19 positive and not close contacts to positive cases.
“Thus, the government has decide that all travellers to Langkawi from 16 September 2021 onwards must go for Covid-19 screening before their journey through three methods,” he said.
Tourists to Langkawi must go for Covid-19 (RT-PCR or RTK-Antigen) at any healthcare facilities or private labs within 48 hours prior to departure.
According to him, the travellers must bring along their Covid-19 screening result to the departure gate (airport or ferry terminal) prior to departure.
“The tourists may also purchase the saliva self-test kit and bring them to the airport or ferry terminal for Covid-19 screening at the designated screening area. They may also purchase the saliva test kit through the private service provider at the screening area of the airport or ferry terminal and do their screening there.
“The screening will be conducted on adults (18 years and above), teenagers and children aged 7-17 years-old. For children under the age of 6, they will also be screened for their symptoms considering their ability of expelling saliva.
“Those children must be accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents or guardians who are free from Covid-19 and not close contacts to positive cases. They must also adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP).
“The Covid-19 screening at the airport and ferry terminals will be monitored and verified by the healthcare workers on-duty,” he said.
“If the community is complacent about the relaxation given by the government and not practice self-control, it is not impossible that the infection situation can return and become worse.
“Therefore, I truly hope that the people can benefit from the relaxation and continue to practice the new normal in our daily life.
“Remember, the success in curbing the pandemic requires everyone’s involvement, the government and the people,” said Khairy.
The Langkawi Pioneer Project is the first travel bubble in Malaysia and it is an important marker in determining the reopening of more domestic travel bubble destinations. -MalaysiaGazette
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