TEMERLOH: Tourism destinations in Pahang, which have achieved herd immunity will be reopened to visitors in stages under the green bubble concept starting next month.
State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the state government along with the National Security Council (NSC) will study the suitable standard operating procedures (SOP) and guidelines before deciding to open the selected destinations.
"Today (Saturday), the residents (people aged above 18) in Fraser's Hill in Raub are scheduled to complete their second dose, while those in Pulau Tioman will receive their second dose starting July 27....we hope to make Fraser's Hill as Pahang's first tourism bubble.
"Pahang state secretary (Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak) is at Fraser's Hill this weekend to monitor the vaccination process and look into the suitable SOP in implementing the tourism green bubble. We need to identify the suitable SOP and launch the travel bubble as early as next month," he told reporters after launching the free bus services in conjunction with the opening of the Lanchang multipurpose hall's vaccination delivery centre here today.
Meanwhile, Sharkar said the SOP on the travel bubble, which will be proposed in Fraser's Hill will be expanded to other tourist destinations in Pahang including Kuala Gandah (Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre) and Taman Negara.
"We need to ensure the tourism industry players and the villagers living in the vicinity are fully vaccinated before deciding to reopen the destinations. It has to be carefully planned and coordinated but everyone has to be realistic with the new normal," he said.
On the new SOP, Sharkar said the proposed guidelines could include only allowing those (visitors) who have completed two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, set up guard posts before entering the tourist areas and ensure villagers living in the area have been fully vaccinated.
"We have to think outside the box to restart the tourism industry which is already suffering. Many people in Singapore who have been vaccinated are willing to travel to Pulau Tioman, so we need to look into the necessary efforts," he said.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, during his visit to Pulau Tioman on June 29, said the state government would propose the reopening of the tourism sector on the island after 80 percent of the 3,500 people on the island complete their vaccination.
He said the proposal would be forwarded to the NSC to allow the island to be opened to at least local tourists to make it a tourism green bubble.
On July 4, it was reported that 83 per cent of the adult population in Pulau Tioman have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.