KEY business sector officials are urging the government to consider expanding the border reopening policy to include Thailand, Vietnam and China, reported The Star.

They said this is necessary for the business and tourism sectors as these countries have also managed the Covid-19 situation well.

Putrajaya is presently in discussions with Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea to loosen border controls as the Covid-19 pandemic shows signs of easing off in those countries.

The report said several top businesses and retail key players have met with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Economic Action Council (EAC) to table their suggestions.

A participant at that meeting, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation president Ameer Ali Mydin, said the government should slowly but cautiously open up its borders to selected “green zone” countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, to restart the economy.

“The solution is to open up the country slowly but cautiously and at the same time ensure that necessary steps are taken to avoid a spike in Covid-19 cases,” he was quoted as saying.

“We told the prime minister that we need more confidence-building measures for the public.

“Eventually we will have to open up more sectors and start allowing more people to come either from Singapore, Brunei and other selected countries.” – June 22, 2020.