KUALA LUMPUR: Covid-19 quarantine and test requirements are prompting Malaysians to think twice about holidaying abroad.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said although fully vaccinated Malaysians could travel abroad for tourism since Oct 11, these requirements, were hampering them from making concrete travel plans.
"Outbound travel for Malaysians depends on two main factors. First, quarantine policies at the destination and upon returning to Malaysia.
"Second, the number of Covid-19 RT-PCR tests required, from before departure, upon arrival at the destination, throughout the stay at the destination, before departure at the destination, upon arrival at home country, and during quarantine.
"PCR tests are additional costs to the holiday package and air travel fare.
"Due to the above, Malaysians are holding back on their overseas travel, unless it is necessary," he told the New Straits Times.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced the loosened restrictions on overseas travel on Oct 10.
However, he also said travellers must test negative by RT-PCR for the virus three days before returning to the country from their trip abroad.
They must also undergo quarantine for 14 days upon arriving from abroad. The quarantine period was halved from Oct 18.
Tan said for now Malaysians appeared to be mostly holidaying locally.
"Tourism and other economic sectors are beginning to stabilise. However, unlike the stock markets that react aggressively to any change in policies or external factors, the tourism industry does not react immediately."
Tan said even when foreign tourists are allowed into Malaysia — slated to be by Jan 1 — the recovery of the tourism industry is dependent on health protocols.
On Nov 11, National Recovery Council chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia's borders were expected to reopen to foreign visitors by Jan 1 as part of the government's efforts to expedite the recovery of the tourism sector.