MALAYSIANS returning from high-risk Covid-19 countries may be placed at quarantine centres or hotels, said director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

This is a departure from a previous government decision to allow non-infected returning Malaysians to undergo self-quarantine at their own homes.

“We are looking into this. As for those coming back from high-risk areas, we will consider them to be placed at hotels or quarantine centres,” he said at the ministry’s press conference in Putrajaya.

On June 7, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysians returning home from overseas are no longer required to be quarantined for 14 days at quarantine centres.

“If you are negative, you can go home for self-quarantine. You are not allowed to leave home and you will be given a wristband to wear.”

Noor Hisham said if returning Malaysians can take the RTK tests three days before departure, the Health Ministry will know they are negative before they board the plane. 

“Upon arrival, if they are from high-risk areas, we will repeat the tests if it was done more than three days ago. 

“If they are symptomatic, then we will immediately isolate them. As for asymptomatic, they have the mandatory 14-day quarantine.” – July 16, 2020.