[ad_1]
JOHOR BARU: Singapore’s move to extend the quarantine period for those with a travel history to Malaysia from seven to 14 days has put many Malaysian workers in limbo.
Those who had planned to return to Malaysia are now re-evaluating their decision, while others who are currently in Johor for short visits are unsure of their fate upon returning to the island republic under the new ruling.
Security officer C. Devan Raaj, 30, who is currently in Johor for a short visit, is disappointed with the sudden announcement.
He said he did not know how he could afford the additional quarantine period.
“I contacted my company after learning about the ad. They said they are currently discussing the matter and will update me accordingly.
“I returned to Johor on November 10 after being in Singapore since the border closure on March 18.
“I was supposed to come back on December 1 and look at the seven-day stay-at-home notice (SHN), which my company had agreed to pay, but now I’m not sure if it will also pay for the additional seven days,” he said. said.
Chemist M. Eddie’s plan to see his family after being separated for nearly a year had been interrupted by the new measure.
“I had planned to return for Christmas but I don’t think I can now.
“Mainly because the updated 14-day quarantine means that all my annual leave will be used for quarantine only.
“The rest of my time in Malaysia will be unpaid leave and it would also have to be interrupted.
“In addition, the cost of the quarantine would also be double the previous seven-day period,” the 25-year-old said.
Eddie isn’t sure whether his company is willing to shell out extra money for quarantine either.
Accountant Adeline Lim, 28, is waiting for her company to discuss with her how the recent changes would affect her plans to return in January.
“I had already planned to return to Johor early next year. But with these recent changes, I’m not sure now that I want to go ahead with the plan, especially with the cost of the additional quarantine.
“I have yet to make a decision and would be waiting for more details from my company on how we could share the cost of the SHN,” Lim said, adding that his company had previously agreed to pay for the seven-day quarantine. in the island republic.
On Friday, Singapore’s Ministry of Health announced that travelers entering the island republic from Malaysia and Japan would have to attend a 14-day SHN starting at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
“We had previously announced that travelers from Malaysia (except Sabah) can attend a seven-day SHN at their place of residence, while travelers with a travel history to Sabah, Malaysia, must attend a 14-day SHN on a SHN dedicated facilities.
“Given the sharp increase in cases in Malaysia recently, all travelers entering Singapore from November 22 at 11:59 p.m. SHN dedicated facilities.
“This also applies to travelers entering Singapore to work under the Periodic Displacement Agreement (PCA) and to returning Singapore-based travelers under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL),” the ministry said in a statement.
He also said that as of November 27 at 11:59 p.m., all travelers, except Singapore citizens and Singapore permanent residents, entering the island republic, who have a travel history in the past 14 days to Malaysia, they will need to take a Covid. -19 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours prior to departure.
“Travelers will be required to present a valid negative Covid-19 test result as a condition of approval to enter Singapore.
“This requirement will go into effect for those arriving in Singapore from November 27 at 1:59 pm. This requirement will not apply to Singapore-based returning travelers under the RGL, ”he said.
Meanwhile, all travelers entering Singapore from Nov 22 at 1:59 PM M. And who have a history of travel in the last 14 days to Japan will also need to attend a 14-day SHN at SHN’s dedicated facilities, even if they have obtained approval to opt out earlier.
[ad_2]
