China’s easing of Covid-19 quarantine policy good for Malaysia, says economist

 

China has eased its once-strict measures to wipe out Covid-19, improving the outlook for its economy and those of its trading partners. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: An economist has welcomed China’s move to ease its Covid-19 quarantine policy for inbound travellers as this will help lessen the economic downturn seen for Malaysia in 2023.

Geoffrey Williams of the Malaysia University of Science and Technology said while this wasn’t a “panacea” it was certainly a move in the right direction.

“It should help improve travel and business flow next year and reduce some of the downside of the recession predictions,” he told FMT.

Williams said Malaysia’s expected economic downturn in 2023 was based in part on a closed China market and the continuation of its zero-Covid policy.

He was asked how China’s move to scrap its Covid-19 restrictions, after three years of shuttered borders and frequent lockdowns, would affect Malaysia’s economy, given that the republic is the country’s largest trading partner.

In September, then finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz cautioned that 2023 would be a challenging year for all countries, including Malaysia, following the economic slowdown in Europe, the US and China, compared with 2022.

Williams warned, however, that it remained to be seen if “it works out” as some countries had imposed certain requirements for travellers from China.

For instance, the US has imposed mandatory Covid-19 tests on travellers from China, and Japan will do the same from Dec 30.

“If these tests turn out mostly negative, that too will gradually stop and bring an end to travel restrictions,” said Williams.

It was reported that travellers to China will no longer have to undergo quarantine from Jan 8. The restriction on the number of passengers per flight will also be lifted.

But they still need to undergo PCR testing 48 hours before departure.

Arrangements for foreigners to come to China, such as for work and business, will be improved and the necessary visas will also be facilitated, according to China’s health authority.

The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) has welcomed the news, calling it a “real relief” for many Malaysian businessmen who have operations in China or major suppliers there.

MICCI president Christina Tee said the republic’s zero-tolerance measures previously “made things hard” for Malaysians who needed to travel to China for negotiations with their business partners or visit their factories and suppliers there.

China previously imposed mandatory quarantine for inbound travellers for up to 21 days but this was later shortened to eight days. - FMT