THERE is no need for interstate travellers to undergo a 14-day quarantine period in light of the rising Covid-19 cases, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the government had never considered such a condition for people moving locally in the country, even if they were returning from a red-zone state.

He said this when asked why those returning from Sabah were not quarantined for 14 days.

“Before this, we only imposed 14 days of quarantine for those returning from abroad. 

“Never before have we imposed quarantine for those travelling interstate – whether it is a red-zone state or if any areas in the state are classified as a red zone. 

“Sabah is part of Malaysia. Although we need to take a flight to Sabah, it’s still categorised as interstate travel,” the defence minister said in a press conference today.

He added that the swab test for Sabah returnees was done just as a precaution because of the spike in cases in the state.

“Just to be extra precautious because of the rise in cases, we ask those returning to have swab tests. After that, they are given a quarantine wristband. 

“Of course quarantine is 14 days but since it is interstate, the Health Ministry made a decision that when a person gets a negative result, they can head to any district clinics under the ministry to remove the wristband and a letter of discharge will be given.

“The ministry has encouraged self-quarantine as part of safety measures but it is not mandatory,” he said. 

Ismail said it wouldn’t make sense to start quarantining people who cross state borders. 

“If we start to quarantine interstate travellers, then take Kedah for example. There are two places in Kedah considered high-risk. So, just because of that, should we do a swab test and quarantine anyone who travels from Kedah to other states? 

“Anyone from a green zone area in Kedah but travelling to Penang, must they quarantine upon entering Penang?” he asked. 

In the past two days, Malaysia reported more than 500 new positive Covid-29 cases, with a record-breaking 287 infections yesterday alone.

Ministry data showed a rising trend in new cases cropping up in Sabah over the past few weeks. 

Several politicians who returned from the state after the polls on September 26 have tested positive, while others are under self-quarantine. – October 3, 2020.