Private flights among SOPs for ministers in new quarantine rule

 

Ministers will have to use private flights and stay away from public engagements before they can escape 10-day quarantine, says Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

PUTRAJAYA: Only ministers using private flights and not going to public areas will be allowed the three-day observation period under a new rule, said health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah.

At a press conference today, he said those using regular commercial flights will have to undergo quarantine like everyone else.

“They will have to follow the procedures first before an approval is given.

“Before leaving, they (ministers) will have to present it to the Cabinet,” he said on the new rule that allows ministers to escape the 10-day quarantine.

After the approval of their activities, the health ministry will look at the SOPs and their schedules for the formal visit.

If they do not comply with the SOPs, the ministers will have to be quarantined for 10 days, Noor Hisham added.

He further explained that the ministers will undergo surveillance until they can be discharged without imposing any danger to the public.

Yesterday, a government gazette revealed that ministers only need to undergo a three-day observation upon their return from official business overseas.

Asked about a case of Covid-19 reinfection as reported in Singapore, Noor Hisham said it could be due to a different strain as more studies are being carried out on the matter.

Speaking on the travel bubble, he said Malaysia had already started discussions with New Zealand, Australia Singapore, Brunei and Korea.

He added that there is also a “green bubble” for one-day business purposes, but that it is subject to strict SOPs.

“For example, an expert in repairing factory machinery entering the country will be ushered from the airport taken directly to the factory. No mixing with others,” Noor Hisham said. - FMT