A medical worker takes samples for COVID-19 testing for people in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian Government hasbeen urged to tighten COVID-19 control measures to prevent a possible large-scalespread of the disease when the country welcomes tourists from China.
Prof. Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a public health expert at the Facultyof Medicine under the National University of Malaysia, said that the government needs to consider the current developments of theCOVID-19 pandemic to prevent its variants that have not been detected in thecountry
She said that the possibility of new variants entering thecountry is high, especially when the Lunar New Year Festival is approaching,which adds difficulty to control the disease.
Public Health Organisation Malaysia advisor Dr. Datuk Dr ZainalAriffin Omar said it is not necessary to impose restrictions on tourists fromChina.
However, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and airline companiesmust conduct strict surveillance such as vaccination certificates or COVID-19testing results with PCR testing is preferable.
He called on the government to ensure that more andmore people in the country receive COVID-19 booster vaccine doses.
The Health Ministry earlier announced that all visitorsto the country will have to have their body temperature checked at the border.Those who are found to have a fever, or symptoms or are infected with COVID-19will be referred to a quarantine centre or health authority for furthertesting.
Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa said that all travellers whohave been to China within 14 days of arriving in Malaysia will have to undergoRTK-Antigen testing and samples will be sent for a genomic test if they aretested positive for COVID-19.
For the last week, the number of new COVID-19 infections perday in Malaysia has decreased significantly, only ranging from 400-500 cases,but there are still a few deaths.
Since May 1, Malaysia has lifted the mandatory testingrequirement for all travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It isnot mandatory to wear a mask indoors, except on public transport and medicalfacilities, while social distancing measures are removed./.
