The new quarantine periods come into effect immediately. They were extended after concerns about the spread of three Covid-19 variants, senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
The quarantine periods are:
• 21 days for travellers from India (no change), and those from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan (extended from 14 days).
A repeat Covid-19 test would be conducted on the 18th day for those in this group.
• 14 days for travellers from other countries (extended from 10 days). Their quarantine could be extended for 7 more days to 21 days depending on a repeat Covid-19 test conducted on the 10th day.
The decision affects Malaysians and non-citizens. They will be quarantined at stations designated by the government.
Ismail noted that all travellers must undergo a Covid-19 RT-PCR test three days before departure. Only those with negative test results would be allowed to board the flight to Malaysia.
Travellers are also required to take another Covid-19 RT-PCR test on arrival.
Infections from Indian and South African variants of the Covid-19 virus have been reported in Malaysia in recent weeks. The Indian variant has been reported to be highly transmissible.
EMCO in Labuan, Sabah and Pahang
Several localities in Labuan, Sabah and Pahang will be placed under enhanced movement control order (EMCO) from May 26.
In Pahang, the Kuala Lipis, Penjom, and Budu subdistricts in Kuala Lipis will be under EMCO until June 8.
In Labuan, five sub-zones in the territory will be placed under EMCO until June 24 following a significant increase in cases in the areas.
Further, several localities in three districts in Sabah, namely Putatan, Kalabakan and Tawau will be placed under EMCO until June 8.
Ismail said 21 of the 282 tests in Taman Seri Ketiau and Taman Desa Seri Ketiau in Putatan returned positive while in Kalabakan, a total of nine cases were detected at the Felda Global Ventures farm after a total of 47 tests.
Kampung Sungai Imam in Tawau will be placed under EMCO as well after 17 cases were reported out of 57 screening tests.
He announced that EMCO at Felda Kahang Timur, Kluang Johor will be extended until June 8. The EMCO at Felda Umas, Kalabakan, Sabah and Kampung Bako Hilir in Kuching, Sarawak will end tomorrow as scheduled.
MCO offences
Ismail also said police arrested 800 people yesterday over MCO-related offences.
Among the offences were failing to provide details for contact tracing or registration (219), failing to wear face mask (133), and failing to maintain physical distancing (248), carrying more passengers in a vehicle than allowed (13), and others (126).
Ismail also said police arrested 21 illegal immigrants and seized 12 vehicles under the ongoing Op Benteng.
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