THE Health Ministry (MOH) said it is prepared to change the existing Covid-19 pandemic management healthcare policy at the country’s borders, including tightening the standard operating procedure (SOP) for health checks.

Its minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said the ministry takes seriously the concerns of the people regarding the increase in Covid-19 cases in China, as well as the restrictions imposed by several countries on travellers from the republic.

“It will be implemented if necessary, not only on visitors or travellers (Malaysians and non-citizens) arriving from China but also from other countries.

“The ministry will step up the methods of containing the spread of the Covid-19 infection in the country as well as preparedness to face any possible increase in cases,” she said in a statement today.

Zaliha added that the ministry is always prepared to boost the country’s health capacity to face any possibility.

The ministry, she said, will always adopt policies that are guided by and based on science and accurate data in addition to working together with the World Health Organization (WHO), China and Asean member countries.

“WHO has held a meeting with China to share the latest data.

“Based on the information relayed by China to the WHO, (we have found that) the Omicron variants and sub-variants in China have also been detected in Malaysia,” she said.

In a related development, Zaliha said the bivalent Covid-19 vaccine will be supplied to Malaysia soon following the approval of the conditional registration by the Drug Control Authority, recently.

“An announcement will be made when the supply is received,” she said and urged those who had received their first booster dose six months ago or longer to get a second booster dose.

There is no need to wait for the bivalent vaccine as the existing monovalent vaccine is still very effective at reducing serious symptoms and cases of death, she said.

Zaliha said she hoped to see an increase in the number of people taking the booster dose, especially among the high-risk group.

Currently, only 49.8% of Malaysians have received their first booster shot and only 1.9% have taken their second booster dose, she added.

She also reminded the public to continue to take care of their own health and that of their families, and to always adhere to health advice and recommendations. – Bernama, January 2, 2023.