PUTRAJAYA has decided to halt all flights to and from India beginning April 28 to prevent the spread of India’s double-mutant Covid-19 variant in Malaysia, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said any traveller who starts his journey in India or transits through the country to third countries will not be allowed to enter Malaysia.

“However, exemptions will… be granted to Malaysian citizens,” he said in a statement today.

International media recently reported that India’s capital has announced a lockdown following a ferocious new coronavirus wave with more than 200,000 fresh daily cases, believed caused by the double-mutant variant of the virus.

Ismail said ships with a history of travel from India within 14 days are not allowed to sign-off procedure in Malaysia except for Malaysian crew who are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine order

He said Putrajaya will also implement temporary restrictions on the entry of foreign workers from India who have a valid temporary work visit pass (PLKS)

“Restrictions will also be implemented on the admission of Indian international students and business travellers,” he said.

Last Saturday, Ismail announced that Malaysia had tightened its entry rules for overseas travellers to curb the spread of new Covid-19 variants.

He said among them are taking swab tests three days before travel, extending the quarantine period from 10 days to 14 days, and the need to comply with standard operating procedure, and the laws and regulations set by the government.

“They also need to take a second swab test on the 10th day of quarantine,” he said in a statement today.

He said this is to prevent the spread of new variants by travellers who are returning from countries that have reported such Covid-19 cases.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are three types of VOC, namely the B.1.351 which was first reported in South Africa, B.1.1.7 from the United Kingdom, and B.1.1.28 or P1 from Brazil and Japan. – April 26, 2021.