Fully vaccinated Malaysians returning from abroad can now quarantine at home, provided they meet certain requirements, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Aug. 8.
Speaking in a live broadcast on national broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Muhyiddin said that under the National Recovery Plan (NRP), the newly implemented measures will also cover permanent residents and eligible foreigners who wish to enter Malaysia.
However, this only extends to those who have a residence within Malaysia.
Home quarantine requirements
From August 10 onwards, vaccinated individuals, including citizens and foreigners who have a residence or home in Malaysia (Permanent residents or under Malaysia MY Second Home Scheme) can serve the mandatory quarantine at home, CNA reported.
They will be issued a digital House Surveillance Order (HSO).
According to infographics published by the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN), here are the requirements to meet for those who wish to quarantine at home:
- Must show evidence of a valid negative RT-PCR test report conducted three days prior to departure.
- No Covid-19 symptoms while going through health screening at the International Arrivals Gate.
- Must have completed and show proof of Covid-19 vaccination validity certificate (depending on the type of vaccine).
- For two-dose vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac), 14 days after their second dose.
- For single-dose vaccines (Cansino & Johnson & Johnson) 28 days after their vaccination.
- Must have a suitable place of residence for quarantine.
- KKM will determine the period of quarantine taking into account risk assessment factors.
Family visits, dine-in, same-state tourism, and worshipping activities to resume
The relaxation of certain Covid-19 restrictions include dining-in, outdoor individual sports and inter-state tourism for certain Malaysian states that have met criteria like reduced case numbers and higher vaccination rates.
These apply to fully vaccinated individuals, according to World of Buzz, and the MKN has certain criteria for those it considers fully vaccinated.
Long-distance spouses and parents with children below the age of 18 can apply for permission to travel across districts and states to meet their family members.
Dining at restaurants and same-state tourism, including hotel stays are also allowed.
All mosques and suraus can hold mass prayers for vaccinated individuals, as long as they have valid digital Covid-19 vaccination certificates.
The individuals must also adhere to the SOPs such as wearing mask and safe distancing.
Welcome news for Malaysians in Singapore
Malaysians in Singapore welcomed the news, having previously petitioned online for home quarantine measures to avoid the otherwise steep quarantine costs, as per The Star.
At the time of writing, the petition garnered more than 17,500 signatures.
Meanwhile, some are reportedly hoping for Singapore to reciprocate by reducing its two-week mandatory quarantine period.
According to Malaysians interviewed by The Star, the move by the Malaysian government will help ease the financial burden of returning home and allow those who are returning home to spend more time with their loved ones.
Experts express concerns over premature reopening
However, hours after Muhyiddin's announcement, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) released a statement calling for a delay of the relaxed measures.
JUST IN : The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urges the government to delay the relaxing of restrictions for the fully vaccinated until cases are significantly reduced.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ysenVD1bcf
— Elill (@Elill_E) August 9, 2021
In the statement, the MMA urged the government to delay the ease of restrictions until the cases are "significantly reduced".
The MMA added that the government's decisions need to be based on scientific evidence, and they further urged the government to provide updates on the Covid-19 positivity rate and status of bed utilisation in Intensive Care Units for each state.
Health practitioner and former MMA president Dr John Chew also said he believes that the loosening of restrictions for vaccinated individuals might have come too soon, reported The Vibes.
He added that the percentage of fully vaccinated individuals in Malaysia is still below 30 per cent, far from the 80 per cent needed to achieve herd immunity.
Top image via Wikimedia Creative Commons & Muhyiddin Yassin/Facebook