MALAYSIA should consider delaying allowing Chinese travellers into the country as alarm grows over China’s Covid-19 surge, Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong Wei Kong said.

He said Malaysia should monitor the situation in other countries before allowing tourists from mainland China to set foot in the country.

“I think delaying a month or so will not impact our industry,” Leong, who is also Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman, told The Malaysian Insight.

“Should we delay and monitor the situation in other countries, and if they are doing fine, then we can open our borders.”

Starting January 8, 2023, after almost three years of self-isolation, China will reopen borders and abandon quarantine after it downgrades its treatment of Covid-19.

The border with mainland China has been effectively closed since February 2020 as the country has maintained a “zero-Covid” policy.

According to a report, Malaysia is one of the top 10 countries Chinese nationals want to visit.

Industry players are expecting some one million travellers from China next year.

However, with the booming number of Covid-19 cases as well as emergence of a new variant, it has alarmed most nations.

Japan, the United States, Italy, South Korea and India have imposed certain forms of requirements for travellers from China.

Leong has also expressed his concern over the matter, saying Malaysia could not afford another surge in Covid-19 cases or lockdown.

He said the current situation is not conducive to having Chinese travellers coming to Malaysia.

He urged the Health Ministry to come up with a stringent entry requirement to prevent a surge in cases in the country.

“I think there must be stringent measures by our government before allowing (Chinese) tourists from coming in because this is not something that one can take chances on,” he said.

“Once we have implemented them, we cannot review them because if they (tourists) enter and the number (of Covid-19 cases) surges, then we are in deep trouble.

“We have to be very cautious about the situation.

“Not that we don’t want the industry to recover, but what if the recovery is negatively affected and we have to go into another lockdown? That is worrying.”

Malaysia has thus far not outlined the entry requirements for travellers from China.

A check with the Health Ministry yesterday did not yield any response on the matter.

However, New Straits Times reported that the ministry is expected to announce Covid-19 restrictions on travellers from China today while The Star, in a report, quoted a source as saying that Malaysia might impose pre-departure Covid-19 testing on those arriving from China.

Yesterday, it was reported that about 50% of passengers on two flights arriving in Milan, Italy from China have tested positive for Covid-19.

Former health minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has also expressed his concern over the matter on Twitter.

He asked if Malaysia was ready to accept Chinese nationals into Malaysian soil given the health crisis in China.

“With more than 50% of Chinese citizens positive on landing at Milan airport, global alarm bells and coordination need to be louder,” he said.

“India, Japan & the US require a negative Covid test from China.

“Is Malaysia ready? Not something to ignore… but not overly alarmist though.”

Risk spreading the virus

Leong said another risk in allowing Chinese tourists into Malaysia without the need of any stringent entry requirement will expose people to the virus.

He said tourist guides, among others, are seen to be at risk of contracting the virus.

“If the Chinese tourists were to come in, they would have direct contact with the tourist guides and the other tourists,” he said.

“So it is a big question mark on whether that could subject the tourist guides to contract the virus.

“Tourist guides have to be with the visitors for a few days.

“The risk factor is very high, not only for the tourist guides but also the other tourists.

“It will be unlucky for others (public) if they contract the virus, which might then spread to the community.

“Some tourist guides are saying that it is not wise to open up to the (China) market until the situation becomes clearer.

“Others said they can take precautions but, of course, it will not be absolutely safe.”

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said Putrajaya should consider enforcing certain entry requirements for travellers from China as a temporary emergency measure against surging infections there.

He said this will protect Malaysians and prevent another crisis that may overwhelm our healthcare system. – December 30, 2022.