Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that people who have successfully received both doses of Covid-19 vaccinations may be allowed to travel regionally.
On April 1, 2021, PM Muhyiddin Yassin made the announcement that vaccinated people may enjoy greater travel freedoms in the near future. The announcement was made at a Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 town hall meeting in Sarawak, with Muhyiddin adding that the decision being made was based on scientific studies showing that vaccinated individuals are not only protected themselves, but also do not pose a threat as carriers.
Image Credit: Reuters/The Straits Times
The PM also stated that that a final decision to the new ruling would be made at the upcoming National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
“There were earlier views that those who have been vaccinated may be protected from the infection, but could be a potential carrier of the virus,” he said. “But now, it has been found that this is not true. I have discussed this in the NSC meeting. We want to decide if this is the case, those who have received two doses can travel across states and districts,” he said at the town hall session in the Kuching.
“Boleh ke sana ke sini (who can go anywhere) without being stopped by the authorities,” he said.
No specific mention was made with regard to legal residents of Malaysia who are not citizens, but it could likely be assumed that the rules would apply equally to them in this case.
WHERE CAN WE TRAVEL?
With much of the country still under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) until at least April 14, 2021, holding out for that weekend getaway is at best still a couple of weeks away.
And while Ramadan is starting just when restrictions may be easing up, many will be looking forward to some much needed R&R after a whole year of movement control orders.
Talking about the possibilities of international travel, PM Muhyiddin revealed that the government is currently in discussions with other countries who are willing to create regional travel bubbles for vaccinated individuals with documented proof.
“This is something to encourage people to get vaccinated,” he said, regarding this possible move. “Not only for domestic travel, but we have started discussions with several countries to allow our citizens who have completed the two doses to travel there with certificates issued.”
So far, a tiny 0.7% of Malaysia’s population have received both of the Pfizer-BioNTech doses amounting to a total of 215,395 people. The second phase of the national vaccination campaign will begin on April 19, and will see the elderly, disabled, and those with medical issues given priority.
Those who wish to get vaccinated can do so by registering themselves via the MySejahtera app. Click here to find out how.
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