Singapore, Malaysia to transfer back travellers showing Covid-19 symptoms

Singapore and Malaysia to apply the same temperature cut-off of more than 37.5°C for travellers showing symptoms. (Bernama pic)

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to implement reciprocal arrangements for the transfer of symptomatic travellers detected at entry screening back across the land and sea checkpoints between the two countries.

The agreement was achieved at the second Singapore-Malaysia Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting which was held via video conference yesterday, according to Singapore’s health ministry (MOH) statement issued here today.

The meeting was co-chaired by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Health I Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

During the meeting, the JWG also agreed to continue entry screenings by both countries and to align temperature screening protocols by applying the same temperature cut-off (>37.5°C) for febrile travellers.

The statement said the co-chairs tasked the senior officials of the JWG to coordinate the implementation of these initiatives, which would serve as a comprehensive package to enhance joint border screening at both the land and sea borders connecting the two countries.

The JWG also acknowledged the recent establishment of the Singapore-Malaysia Special Working Committee (SWC) on Covid-19 to discuss a joint plan to ensure the safe and sustainable movement of people, goods and services between both countries during Malaysia’s movement control order.

MOH said the JWG agreed to continue health discussions specific to these matters separately under the SWC.

At the meeting, both countries also updated on the Covid-19 situations in their respective sides.

The third meeting of the JWG is planned for next month.- FMT