MALAYSIANS returning from abroad will have to pay RM 2,100 for food and lodging during their 14 day stay at a quarantine centre, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

According to Ismail Sabri, the estimated cost involved for the 14-day mandatory quarantine per person is RM4,700.

“Malaysians have to pay a maximum of RM2,100 for a hotel room and three meals a day.

“The government will bear the remaining cost of RM2,600, including transportation costs from the border entrance to the quarantine station, food and beverage costs, and PPE equipment for health and security officers as well as cleaning and decontamination costs at the quarantine station,” he said in a statement today.

On July 24, the government announced that all Malaysians returning from abroad and foreigners who are allowed to enter Malaysia must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period at government-appointed quarantine centres.

Those involved will have to bear the full cost of quarantine including the cost of the Covid-19 screening test.

Last week, Ismail said there will be no more home quarantine following a spike in Covid-19 infections, with many of them being imported cases.

From July 24 to July 27, 1,631 individuals returning to the country have been stationed at nine quarantine centres in Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Penang and Johor.

They returned from 22 countries namely Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, India, UAE, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, Iran, Bangladesh, Taiwan, China, UK,  Netherlands and Australia.

Yesterday, police conducted 1,776 inspections on people under quarantine at home.

Police together with Ministry of Health officers will continue to inspect and monitor people to ensure they are complying with procedures. – July 28, 2020.