Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (right), accompanied by Immigration Department Director General Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, during his visit to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Sunday. -Bernamapic
SEPANG: The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the entry of foreign tourists at all international entry points remains the same for now, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said any change in the existing SOP would only be made based on the latest Covid-19 data.
He said that the SOP imposed on tourists from China arriving in Malaysia was the same as that for arrivals from other countries.
"It's not wise to be selective and I feel it's not right for us to take that stance," he told reporters after observing the operations at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), here on Sunday (Jan 8).
However, he said the government would not comprise on the importance of protecting the safety of the people from any health threats, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday (Jan 4), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would not discriminate against any country in conducting Covid-19 checks on travellers entering the country as its priority is the people's health and safety.
Anwar added that the Immigration Department had also tightened controls at the country's entry points to monitor the entry of foreigners into Malaysia.
Elaborating further, Saifuddin said tourists identified to be suffering from a fever would be taken aside and examined by a doctor on duty.
"If the body temperature is (above) 37°C, they will place (the tourists) at a specific point for observation. If they continue to show signs of being positive (for Covid-19)... they will be taken to the Sungai Buloh Hospital," he said.
On his observation of Immigration counters at KLIA, he said that he was overall satisfied because all tourists complied with the existing SOP. – Bernama
