COVID-19 close contacts no longer need to isolate under a new protocol in Malaysia, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

However, he said, they are still required to regularly self-test.

The protocol is already in place for public healthcare workers and will be rolled out to the public at a suitable time, he added.

“The health director-general has distributed a new circular for healthcare workers, in which the new protocol is introduced,” he said at a press conference today.

“Healthcare workers who are asymptomatic and close contacts no longer need to isolate. They just need to self-test.

“The same protocol may be implemented for the public when we feel that it can be rolled out.”

Khairy said the private healthcare sector can also follow the same protocol.

Currently, Covid-19 close contacts are required to undergo self-quarantine for five days.

Khairy said the new move is introduced to mitigate disruption to the economy and workplace.

“There are too many close contacts now as the number of daily cases is rising, so people may accidentally become close contacts.

“When this happens (isolation), it disrupts the economy and workplace.”

He said MySejahtera help desks will be opened at vaccination centres (PPV) to help the public troubleshoot any issue they face with the app.

“The first help desk will be opened at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur PPV on February 19, and then at IDCC Ideal Convention Centre Shah Alam PPV on February 26.

“We will open up more physical help desks in other states soon.” – February 17, 2022.