Gov't mulls home quarantine if Malaysians abroad test negative before flight back

CORONAVIRUS | The government is mulling whether to allow Malaysians who return from abroad to undergo home quarantine, provided that they test negative for Covid-19 at their country of origin.

"Quarantine will still be done, but we will see if they need to undergo mandatory quarantine or can be quarantined at home for 14 days," said Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (photo).

At present, all Malaysians returning from abroad will be tested on arrival and quarantined at government-designated centres, including hotels.

Noor Hisham said any changes to this will be studied first.

Sabah has already relaxed quarantine requirements, allowing all domestic Malaysian travellers to enter the state provided they have tested negative for Covid-19 within the last three days before their point of departure.

Meanwhile, on the guidelines for the reopening of schools, Noor Hisham said this was being prepared in advance and there was no decision as yet for when students can return to school.

The guidelines he said, include those requiring students to have their recess-time meals in their classrooms instead of the canteen.

He also said the priority was for Form 5 and Form 6 students to return to school first as it was exam years for them.

The Education Ministry is expected to distribute the guidelines for the reopening of schools tomorrow.

Noor Hisham said there will be a two-week notice before schools are reopened. - Mkini