KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is considering reopening the country’s borders to vaccinated foreigners from certain countries.
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National Recovery Council chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said vaccinated foreigners will be allowed to enter the country without the need to undergo mandatory quarantine through the mutual recognition vaccine certificate as implemented in other countries.
“This is to stimulate the country’s economy, especially the tourism sector. However, the matter will be finalised soon,” he told reporters after chairing a council meeting today.
The reopening of borders is also expected to spur other economic activities such as the international conventions sector and the retail industry.
Muhyiddin said the suggestion to allow vaccinated foreigners into the country was made in view of the downward trend of daily Covid-19 cases and high vaccination rates, especially for the adult population.
“Based on this positive development, the council was informed that the government is considering reopening the country’s borders by allowing foreign visitors from certain countries who have been fully vaccinated to come here without having to undergo the mandatory quarantine.
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“It will be through the mutual recognition of vaccine certificate programme as implemented in some other countries,” he said.
The former prime minister added that today’s meeting also focused on two groups which were most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, namely small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and low-income groups.
“Taking into account the various financial assistance and initiatives offered to SMEs by different ministries and agencies, the council is of the view that a more detailed analysis needs to be done before implementing short- and long-term solutions.
“A special task force will be established involving the finance, human resources, and international trade and industry ministries as well as Bank Negara Malaysia to refine aspects pertaining to financing and manpower,” Muhyiddin said.
He added that the task force will present a detailed study and recommendations within a month to the council.-FMT