KOTA KINABALU - Malaysia’s Sabah state government on Wednesday announced new Covid-19 restrictions for travellers from China that will take effect from Sunday.

Travellers coming from China are required to be fully vaccinated, as well as provide a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction test or a professionally administered rapid antigen test within 48 hours before their flights, said Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Sabah’s Minister in charge of Covid-19 matters.

The decision was made following the east Malaysia state’s Cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday.

That same day, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said Covid-19 preventive measures will be enhanced at the country’s “entry points”, without elaborating on the safety restrictions.

“Every inbound traveller will be monitored, particularly those coming from countries with high infection rates, including China and the United States. We are not loosening conditions,” he told a press conference after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting.

At least 336,000 Chinese nationals – including 53,000 nationals in December – entered Malaysia in 2022, Datuk Seri Anwar added, without leading to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Mr Masidi had in December already hinted about the proposed actions, in anticipation of China tourist arrivals and rising Covid-19 infections in the country driven by the emergence of new variants.

He said all international travellers will have their temperature taken by a thermal scanner. Those with a fever will be assessed further.

“Those with Covid-19 symptoms are required to take a (rapid antigen) test,” added Mr Masidi, who is also state assemblyman for Karanaan in Ranau.

On the peninsula, Perak’s state government said all tourists arriving at its Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh and the border town of Pengkalan Hulu may have to undergo health screenings.

Perak health committee chairman A. Sivanesan said the state’s health department will soon decide on whether to make screening and wearing masks mandatory again.

He said the screening would be important for tourists arriving from China.

“I was particularly impressed with a healthcare screening centre here, where all staff and patients were masked up at all times,” he said.

“It is very important that both private and government departments emulate this to check the spread of Covid-19.”

Malaysia dropped its mask mandate completely in September 2022, save for public transport and medical institutions, while also allowing for individual business owners and landlords to enforce wearing masks indoors on their own premises.

Melaka’s state government said wearing face masks would be made mandatory in the state by Jan 17 if Covid-19 cases record an upward trend.

Negri Sembilan’s Chief Minister said the government is also considering making the wearing of face masks compulsory again, especially indoors. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK