Every visitor who wishes to travel to Langkawi Island from September 16 onward must undergo a COVID-19 detection test before their journey.
The matter was decided by the government as compulsory for people hailing from out of the resort island as a preventive measure.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said the detection tests are mandatory for adults aged 18 and above, as well as teenagers and children aged 7 to 17.
“For children aged 6 and below, only symptom screenings will be conducted, taking into account their ability to produce saliva.
“These children must be with parents or guardians who have been fully vaccinated, are not a positive case or close contact to a COVID-19 patient and must comply with the SOPs,” he said in a statement today (September 15).
COVID-19 detection tests conducted at the airports and ferry terminals will be monitored and verified by the health personnel on duty. Only those tested negative are allowed to continue their journey.
Meanwhile, individuals who test positive are not allowed to continue their journey and will be managed as per the existing management SOPs for positive cases and close contacts.
Earlier, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said COVID-19 screening was not mandatory for all tourists who visit the island.
However, the Member of Parliament for Langkawi, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad recommended making the screening test mandatory at the entrance to Langkawi as a measure to prevent transmission.
Rosli Mansor
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