THE government is considering opening its borders to foreign travellers from selected countries through mutual recognition of vaccination certificates, Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

The National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman said the government was also in the midst of deciding whether to scrap the quarantine requirement or shorten the isolation period for foreign visitors.

“We have been informed that this issue will be discuess today in the Covid-19 pandemic management special committee meeting chaired by prime minister (Ismail Sabri Yaakob).

“We have already allowed interstate travel. Now we are waiting to see if borders should open for international business or tourism for those who are fully vaccinated.

“We hope to decide soon,” he said after chairing an NRC meeting at Lanai Kijang in Kuala Lumpur.

Fully vaccinated Malaysians are allowed to travel overseas starting this week without having to apply for permission from the Immigration Department.

Malaysians returning from abroad are still required to quarantine.

Muhyiddin said today that the government is still studying the possible impact of reopening the country’s borders for international tourism.

Foreign visitors are only allowed into the country for business or emergencies or if they are permanent residents or holders of the Malaysia MySecond Home permit.

Muhyiddin said based on briefings by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, the NRC is pleased with the drop of Covid-19 cases. 

“There is also a drop in the usage of intensive care units (ICU) beds while 95% of the adult population have been vaccinated. 

“Based on this the government is considering reopening the borders. It is a positive move that I believe will revitalise tourism, international conferences and conventions and bring in business travellers.” – October 15, 2021.