Tropical paradise: Tourists from Australia looking at a pamphlet on Sabah as they plan a visit to the state. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: While there is a need for more vigilance, there is no need for a sweeping revision of the current Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) for tourists, say industry players.
They say that returning to the dark days of the virus – which justified strict measures such as requiring tourists to take Covid-19 tests and insurance, as well as showing proof of vaccination – were not necessary at this point in time.
This is because the existing Covid-19 protocol outlined by the Health Ministry follows current Covid-19 indicators and as such, are adequate to protect public health, they say.
Malaysian Association Of Tour And Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said it would be premature to re-impose revised requirements such as Covid-19 tests, insurance and vaccination proof.
“Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has yet to provide such recommendations other than recommendations of face masks for long haul flights.
“While we must be vigilant, reintroducing restrictions without proper risk-assessments based on comprehensive scientific evidence will not only be ineffective but also potentially disastrous from an economic standpoint,” he said.
Tan added that Covid-19 SOP should follow WHO benchmarking and non-pharmaceutical measures to prevent subvariant outbreaks must be used.
He also said that procedures involving MySejahtera, which stressed travellers out, should not be reintroduced.
Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) president Uzaidi Udanis also felt that a return to the old SOP is not necessary at this point of time although he agreed that heightened vigilance must be practised at all times.
“We have to depend on instructions from the Health Ministry and I think they know better.
“The Malaysian health authorities will study all the Covid-19 indicators before deciding on the SOP.
“If that happens, we will give our support and will cooperate and whatever the decision is by the Health Ministry, we have to ensure that all tourism players understand what’s the latest SOP,” he said.
Uzaidi added that, three years on after the virus upended the world, there is a need to live with Covid-19 and there should not be a return to drastic measures.
On the expected influx of tourists to Malaysia this year including the long-missing Chinese tourists, Uzaidi said there are currently no signs yet that they will return in large numbers.
This is due to factors such as the lack of flights from China to Malaysia. China on Sunday opened its borders and lifted Covid-19 measures, as a move away from its zero-Covid game plan.
“There are currently not enough flights available so the pricing is also on the high side.
“We have lots of inquiries and requests for quotations but no real groups are coming in yet. .
“It’s a matter of time. We hope by August and September and the Chinese Golden Week we can get more groups coming in to visit,” Uzaidi said, referring to the seven-day Golden Week holiday from Oct 1 to Oct 7.
Besides Malaysia, other South-East Asian countries are also keeping their entry requirements loose for all tourists, including from China.
Thailand, which initially had an entry policy requiring visitors to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, revoked the rule a few days ago, citing sufficient immunisation levels in China and globally.
Indonesia is welcoming Chinese tourists without restrictions and entry regulations remain the same as other tourists, which is that visitors entering Indonesia are required to show proof of full vaccination but no longer need Covid-19 tests.
Singapore has also said there would be no changes in its Covid-19 measures for travellers from China.
Foreigners who are not fully vaccinated need to undergo pre-departure tests, while short-term visitors are required to buy insurance for Covid-related medical expenses.
