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PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Lifting the inter-district ban will allow the public the opportunity to travel and improve the livelihoods of those involved in the tourism sector, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
He said the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) welcomed the government’s decision to allow inter-district travel within the same state, with the exception of Sabah from March 5.
The decision, he added, was big news that would motivate operators in the tourism, arts and culture industry who have expressed concern if the ban is prolonged.
According to her, Motac had four engagement sessions through the Crisis Management Team to elicit feedback and suggestions from industry players, all of whom wanted the government to allow inter-district and state travel.
“Pay for the government’s decision to allow interdistrict travel in compliance with existing standard operating procedure,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 2).
Chief Minister (Security Group) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today that the inter-state travel ban remained in effect, while inter-district travel was allowed, with the exception of Sabah, from March 5 to 18.
The interdistrict travel ban in Sabah was at the request of the state government.
Meanwhile, Nancy said that an engagement session was held today with industry players including the Malaysia Family Attractions and Amusement Theme Parks Association (MAATFA), the Malaysian Resort Management Association, the Association of Malaysian Retail Chains (MRCA), the Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA) and Batu. Highway Retailers Association (BARRA).
According to Nancy, during the session, the government was urged to issue special documents or passports to Malaysians who received the vaccine to allow movement within states and for social activities, including tourism, safely.
Industry players also suggested prioritizing vaccine injections for tourism sector operators because they are also state-of-the-art, welcoming guests and customers to their facilities on a daily basis, he said.
A suggestion was also raised to write a long-term plan to open international borders so that the ministry can identify target groups from international markets that can be allowed in the tourism industry in the country, he added. – Bernama
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