National testing policy soon to handle anti-vaxxers, says KJ

 

Once Malaysia goes into the endemic phase of Covid-19 management, everyone will have to test themselves regularly, says Khairy Jamaluddin. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ministry is mooting a new national testing policy, which will take into account those who refuse vaccines, once the country’s Covid-19 approach moves into treating the virus as endemic.

“For the time being, we are not making vaccination mandatory,” he told reporters at a press conference today.

Khairy said discussions are however underway on ways forward for the country to manage the pandemic if there are still groups refusing vaccination without medical reasons.

“Some of the issues under discussion is a ‘national testing policy’. Once we go into the endemic phase (of Covid-19 management), whether vaccinated or not, you have to test yourself quite regularly.”

He said those refusing vaccination can be subjected to a certain schedule or regime of testing that they have to adhere to.

He said that even though vaccination is not mandatory for now, the government is encouraging “sectoral persuasion”, where companies may set regulations for employees to be fully vaccinated before they can come in to work.

He again urged those who have not got their vaccines for reasons other than medical, to go and get vaccinated.

“I have not come to the stage where I propose to the Cabinet that we come up with a federal mandate, but I am not far from it either.”

Meanwhile, for those who cannot complete their vaccination or be vaccinated for medical reasons, there will be a feature set up on MySejahtera to reflect this.

“As long as they have a doctor’s confirmation saying they cannot complete their vaccination or cannot be vaccinated, and it is reflected on MySejahtera, we will come up with SOPs that will be appropriate for these people.”

Meanwhile, Khairy said there will be enough vaccine supply for September, adding that they will be allocating 15.16 million doses of vaccines to different states.

States receiving the most vaccine doses are Sabah (2.9 million), Johor (1.9 million), Kedah (1.3 million), Kelantan (1.2 million), Pahang (1.4 million), Perak (1.6 million) and Penang (1 million). - FMT