THE three-day quarantine period for ministers returning from overseas may be extended to business travellers and the public, said Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

The main aim of cutting short the quarantine period is to revive the economy, he told Malaysiakini.

“We start with ministers first because it is easy to make an order before we open it up to the public… maybe businesspersons,” he was quoted as saying.

On Monday, Adham said cabinet members would only need to be quarantined for three days instead of the mandatory 10 upon their return from overseas.

The exemption is granted under Section 15 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

Yesterday, director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said ministers who want to shorten their quarantine must adhere strictly to the “travel bubble” conditions under the act.

Ministers who failed to meet the requirements will have to undergo the compulsory 10 days of quarantine.

Adham said those allowed to travel, including foreign dignitaries and businessmen, will be subject to stringent itineraries if they are to be exempted.

As for the public, he said, it will depend on whether regulations are adhered to as the 10-day quarantine is a deterrent to investors and foreign dignitaries who want to come to Malaysia.

“The reason the government is doing this is to make sure we can open up our economy.”

Malaysia demands a swab test three days before departure plus seven days of quarantine, totalling 10 days.

“If they don’t do a swab test before departure, they have to get a negative swab test at the international entry point and quarantine for 10 days.

“That’s why investors don’t come, foreign leaders don’t visit… and because of that investments don’t come in,” he told the portal.

Adham cited Indonesia, which did not quarantine Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin when the latter made an official trip there last week. – February 10, 2021.