M’sia Tightens Testing Regime for People Using Both Air & Land VTL

There’s an ancient proverb, written long ago, that seems to hold special significance for this uncertain period we’re currently living in: “Celebrating relaxed COVID-19 measures is always premature”.

Okay fine, I came up with the saying last week, but it’s certainly true.

Take the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), for example. The idea was that we’d only have to do a few tests before embarking on our journey abroad without the need for quarantine.

Then, just as we were popping champagne bottles and clinking glasses, the Omicron variant appeared, prompting border restrictions and tightened measures.

Thanks to this latest development, travellers to Malaysia will no need to have more cotton swabs shoved up their noses.

M’sia Tightens Testing Regime for People Using Both Air & Land VTL

Malaysia has implemented a tighter testing regime for travellers coming into the country via the air and land VTL.

VTL travellers will now have to undergo COVID-19 RTK-Ag tests daily for six days upon their arrival.

The RTK-Ag test is the equivalent of our antigen rapid test (ART).

The RTK-Ag test, as long as its administered professionally, is an acceptable mode of pre-departure testing for those travelling via the land VTL.

All passengers travelling under the air VTL arrangement, however, will still need to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Additionally, all pre-departure tests must now be taken 48 hours before departure, instead of the 72 hours time frame previously stipulated.

These tightened measures will also apply to travellers under the Langkawi international travel bubble (LITB) and short-term business visitors under the One Stop Centre.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin explained that these measures were aimed at stemming the spread of the Omicron variant in Malaysia.

Protokol baharu bagi Gelembung Pelancongan Antarabangsa Pulau Langkawi

New protocol for Langkawi Travel Bubble pic.twitter.com/u2Ss74VA1T

— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) December 7, 2021

Which is why…

Travellers From 5 Countries Will Have to Wear Digital Tracking Device

Travellers from the UK and the US, as well as from Australia, France, and Norway will be subject to an additional precautionary measure while under quarantine.

Wearing a digital tracking device. 

Yes, what once seemed like an unthinkable law only imposed in sci-fi books is now reality.

We have issued further preemptive measures in light of Omicron. VTL & Langkawi bubble travelers will need to test everyday after arrival. Travellers from the UK, US, Australia, France & Norway on home quarantine will need to wear a digital tracking device. https://t.co/2q9ysAgU5q

— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) December 7, 2021

Travellers from these five countries, in particular, were chosen because they have reported cases of the Omicron strain in their community.

Omicron Case Already Detected in Malaysia 

Earlier this week, the Malaysian authorities announced that it had detected its first Omicron case—a foreign student who arrived from South Africa two weeks ago.

The 19-year-old woman had actually arrived in the country via Singapore.

She had tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined for 10 days before being released on 29 Nov.

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Featured Image: YuriAbas/ shutterstock.com