PERMISSION for interstate travel is expected to be finalised in three weeks’ time after the country has hit its target of fully vaccinating 90 per cent of the adult population, Senior Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said.

He said several measures would be taken to speed up the vaccination rate among adults.

The armed forces, he said, had been directed to step up its cooperation with the Health Ministry to ensure that the people could complete their vaccination soon.

Immediate steps to be taken include deploying more combat medic vaccination teams to remote areas, apart from expanding the drive-through vaccination programme implemented by the Defence Ministry for the public.

“InsyaAllah (God willing), the much-awaited permission for interstate travel will be announced soon. We hope the plans we have worked out with the health ministry will come to fruition in three weeks.

“Before it is announced, many matters need to be thought out in terms of the standard operating procedure and the responsibilities of monitoring agencies.

“We will unveil the interstate SOP before announcing the permission for such travel. The SOP will be scrutinised at the special committee on pandemic (management) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob next week,” he said.

Hishammuddin was speaking to reporters after visiting the drive-through vaccination centre at the 6th Battalion Royal Rangers Regiment at Ulu Tiram Camp in Johor Baru.

Yesterday, the prime minister hinted that permission for interstate travel could be granted in a few weeks.

Ismail said that as at September 22, a total of 81 per cent of the adult population in the country had been fully vaccinated.

In a few weeks’ time, he said, the 90 per cent target could be achieved to make interstate travel possible.

Hishammuddin added that it is important for the public to follow the SOP and practise self-discipline when interstate travel is allowed.

“It is impossible for the government to monitor every person,” he said. – Bernama, September 25, 2021.