By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, March 31 — Malaysian citizens who are returning home from overseas will be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival at the airport as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the two-week quarantine will be carried out at several locations operating as Covid-19 isolation centres.
“As soon as they touch down at the airport, they will be transported by bus and will undergo Covid-19 screening when they arrive at the quarantine centres.
“They will have to abide by all the standard operating procedures that have been set by the National Security Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry while at the quarantine centres,” said Ismail at a televised press conference, after chairing the special task force meeting today.
He said that the mandatory quarantine will begin for arrivals from April 3 onwards as the government is making the necessary preparations.
The newly enforced rule will be implemented on arrivals from both commercial and chartered flights.
Ismail had reminded family members that they are not allowed to visit those who have just returned home but said they can continue to communicate through mobile communications.
“We are aware that many of our citizens want to return home but we have also seen how other countries had begun to see a spike in Covid-19 cases due to this incident.
“We saw this happening in Wuhan, China, where they were able to contain the locally transmitted cases but because of those travelling home, there were new cases recorded,” he said.
Ismail said the government had advised Malaysians in other countries who have a place to stay to remain where they are if they are able to do so.
