Malaysia to issue smart COVID-19 vaccination certificate
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia is to issue a smart
vaccination certificate to people in the country who have been vaccinated
against COVID-19, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
He said the certificate will be issued in a month’s time and
that the matter is being discussed with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to
ensure that the document is also recognised by other countries.
Malaysia launched the first phase of the National COVID-19
Immunisation Programme from February 24 on prioritised groups. The second phase
is scheduled for April.
On March3, Malaysia reported 1.745 new COVID-19 infections,
raising the total cases to 305,880, with 1,148 deaths.
On the same day, the Philippines reported 1,783 new infections, bringing the total count to 582,223. The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH)
reported that death toll has increased to 12,389, while the number of
recoveries has been 534,778. The DOH earlier confirmed that the country found six
patients infected with new variants of SARS CoV-2 that was first detected in
South Africa, along with 87 cases positive to the variants originated in the
UK.
Also on March 3, Director General of the Department of
Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of
Health Phonepaserd Sayamoungkhoun said that there are 2,212 people
undertaking quarantine in concentrated sites across the country.
So Far, Laos has detected 45 COVID-19 cases, including 42
recoveries.
Meanwhile, Thailand is considering measures to prevent the spreading of
COVID-19 during the upcoming traditional Songkran festival amid the falling
number of infections.
Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said on March 3 that his
ministry supported the return of traditional and cultural activities that were
part of the festival before the pandemic struck.
However, there must be strict disease control measures in
place, including social distancing and limits on the number of people at venues
where activities are planned, he said.
Songkran activities will help stimulate tourism and the
economy, now that COVID-19 vaccines were available, he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the
government was considering what measures would need to be applied for the
festival, to prevent Covid-19 from spreading again. Songkran is from
April 13-15 this year.
As of March 3, Thailand had reported 26,108 COVID-19
infections with 84 deaths./.