[ad_1]
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian government will impose an entry ban on citizens of countries with more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases starting on September 7, Chief Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Thursday (September 3).
Countries on the list include the United States, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Bangladesh, he said.
“We will add more high-risk countries to the list, which have more than 150,000 positive cases. Its citizens will be banned (from entering Malaysia), “the minister told reporters.
“However, for emergencies or cases involving bilateral relations, such as if a person needs to come for a meeting between countries, we will allow entry. But it requires permission from the immigration department. “
READ: Comment: Malaysia is slow to reopen COVID-19 for good reason
He added that the Health Ministry would announce more details about countries that have registered more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases at a later date.
On Tuesday, Malaysia announced that long-term pass holders who are citizens of India, Indonesia and the Philippines will not be able to enter the country from September 7.
The decision was made after considering the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the three countries, Ismail Sabri said.
“The ban would apply to permanent residents, Malaysia My Second Home pass holders, expatriates of all categories, those with resident passes, spouse visas and students who are citizens of the respective countries,” he said.
“This decision was made in accordance with the advice of the Ministry of Health, which considered that the restriction would be an effective method to stop the community spread of the COVID-19 virus resulting from import cases.”
READ: The Malaysian recovery movement control order extended until December 31, tourists are not yet allowed in: PM Muhyiddin
However, the government will allow Malaysians from high-risk countries to return, he added. They will be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine as stipulated in the country’s standard operating procedures.
The “Adoption of New Rules” campaign launched earlier this year to ensure that people continue to comply with established procedures to curb the spread of COVID-19 will continue until December 31, Ismail Sabri added.
Various campaigns will be held in shopping malls and on social media and print media to ensure that people adhere to standard operating procedures.
“For now, compliance with the SOP (standard operating procedure) is high, since Law 342 (Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act of 1988) is in force and the police can carry out the application,” he said.
“We want people to continue to practice self-control, such as wearing a mask, washing their hands frequently, and maintaining physical distance.”
Malaysia reported 14 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 9,374.
Four were imported cases, while the remaining 10 were local broadcasts, according to the director general of health, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
