A decision on the opening of Malaysia’s borders to foreign tourists will only be determined after the country moves into the COVID-19 endemic phase, according to the national news agency Bernama.

Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA)

A decision on the opening of Malaysia’s borders to foreign tourists will only be determined after the country moves into the COVID-19 endemic phase, according to the national news agency Bernama.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said after the handover ceremony of the Malaysian Border Control Agency (AKSEM) to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on September 30 that the country is currently still in the pandemic phase and its readiness to transition to the endemic phase will be determined by the health ministry.

Currently, Malaysia maintains a ban on interstate travel, allowing only cross-district travel and implementing a "tourist bubble" in Langkawi Island for those who have completed COVID-19 vaccinations.

During a meeting on September 27, Malaysian National Recovery Council Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the government expects to allow people to travel across the state in early or mid-October. At that time, the completion rate of vaccination among people aged 18 years and older would reach nearly 90 percent. However, everyone must still follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Source: VNA