Health DG: Health DG: Overseas travel to be considered if...

CORONAVIRUS | Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said they may consider the possibility of reopening Malaysia’s international borders to certain countries if Covid-19 cases remain under control during the recovery movement control order (MCO).

“If we can open up our sectors within the country - our social sectors, economic sectors - and we can control the spread of Covid-19, then we might consider easing international border restrictions.

“We have to look at the concept of the ‘green bubble’, that is if the country has a good track record (with Covid-19) and also perhaps something like green zones, then we will consider it,” Noor Hisham (photo) said in his press conference today.

There are many criteria which countries must fulfill in order to be considered, he added.

There would also need to be in-depth discussions on standard operating procedures (SOP) between Malaysia and the countries, he said.

“We have to agree on the SOP, like for example, when the testing will be done, whether the testing will be done at the country of origin and so on.

“So there are many things we need to look at and discuss first, then only we can focus on the concept of the green bubble,” he said.

The recovery MCO was announced yesterday and will start on June 10, after the end of the conditional MCO.

Under the recovery MCO, many more sectors, including social and sports sectors, will be allowed to reopen under strict SOP and guidelines.

Interstate travel will also be allowed, except to areas under enhanced MCO.

However, the country’s international borders remain closed.  - Mkini