Malaysian advisers agree to reopen borders next month, report says

Malaysia’s government advisory council proposed reopening of the nation’s international borders as early as March 1, without the need for compulsory quarantine. Travelers must take the Covid test before their departure and upon arrival in the country, National Recovery Council Chairman and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin said in a briefing video posted on Facebook. The government must set a definite timeline to open the borders to revive businesses that depend on tourism, Muhyiddin was quoted as saying in the local media last week. In the NRC meeting held in January, a committee comprising the Health Ministry was formed to map out the way forward, he said. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Feb. 3 said his ministry will recommend reopening borders only after the nation’s booster vaccination rate improves. The ministry is still discussing the threshold values that it is comfortable with in regard to vaccination for children and booster shots for adults, he said. Nearly 80% of the total population has been fully vaccinated, with more than 53% of adults having received booster shots. <br/>