JOHOR BARU: The government expects to lift the restriction on interstate travel in three weeks time, when the country's vaccination rate hits 90 per cent.
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the government was currently focusing on accelerating the vaccination programme, so that the target of having 90 per cent of Malaysia's adult population being fully vaccinated could be achieved within the three-week period.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that interstate travel will be allowed for the people once we reach the 90 per cent target.
"I have instructed the Defence Ministry to cooperate with the Health Ministry so that we can accelerate the vaccination for the people because we want to achieve the target in three weeks," said Hishammuddin.
Among the measures that have been taken include mobilising more Combat Medic Vaccination Team to reach out to more people and expanding the Armed Forces drive-through vaccination programmes.
"Insya-Allah (God willing), the announcement about the interstate travel will be made soon. Before that, there are a lot of matters that need to be taken into consideration, concerning the standard operating procedures (SOP) and the responsibilities of the monitoring agencies.
"The SOP for the interstate travel will be finalised at the Special Pandemic Committee meeting chaired by the prime minister next week," said Hishammuddin.
He was speaking to the media after visiting the drive-through vaccination centre at the Ulu Tiram Camp here.
Last week, the prime minister announced that interstate travel would be allowed once the vaccination rate in the country reached 90 per cent.
Hishammuddin said once inter state travel was allowed, it was important for the public to continue adhering to the SOP.
"It is impossible for the authorities to monitor everybody once interstate travel is allowed.
"The most important is for the public to have discipline as they enjoy the relaxations that will be announced later. I hope the public continue to adhere to the SOP," he said.