THE Immigration Department has closed the automatic gates at the entry checkpoints to check the spread of Covid-19.

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the temporary closure of the gates would not affect tourist arrivals to the country.

“The closure is aimed at tighter controls in dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak,” he said, adding the move was made in consultation with the Health Ministry.

All arrivals will now go through the regular counters where they will be screened before they are allowed into the country.

“If they use the automatic gates, it will be difficult to determine their last location before they arrived here,” he said.

Earlier, a letter from the Immigration Department was sent to the state branches informing them of the closure of the gates. 

According to the letter dated March 4, the closure is temporary and the situation will be reviewed from time to time. – March 4, 2020.