KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is in talks with Singapore and Brunei to create "green lanes" or travel bubble to allow movement between the countries.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the green lanes were to ease economic setbacks from enforced border control introduced to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Malaysia was still discussing guidelines with the two neighbouring countries and has approached Australia and New Zealand over the same matter.
"Countries that have no new Covid-19 cases for 28 days would also be considered. However, it is still under planning and we have not agreed with any country yet.
"It must be mutual, some issues must be ironed out by both countries before we can allow the green lanes or green bubble," he had said.
Several countries had tried to reopen their borders, but stopped due to an increase in the number of new coronavirus cases.
According to Bloomberg, Australia and New Zealand are still in the planning stages to reopen their borders, while Hong Kong and South China's Guangdong province may relax travel limits.
Dr Noor Hisham also said Malaysia wants visitors from the green zones to continue with their planned activities upon arriving in the country.
"Companies can bring in their workers for emergency purposes. However, upon arrival, the workers should be brought to the work place immediately and avoid mixing with the locals.
"Healthcare travellers, meanwhile, can head to hospital for treatment and they should ensure the patient is quarantined in their premises," he added.
He said the country was expected to see days without any new infection by mid- July, if the public comply with SOPs and guidelines.
On Friday, Malaysia recorded six Covid-19 cases, bringing the overall total to 8,606 nationwide.