KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not reintroduce any large-scale movement restrictions during the current Omicron wave due to Malaysia's high vaccination coverage and an increase in booster uptake.
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the Health Ministry has noted a decoupling trend in the current wave of Covid-19 infections.
"While we are seeing a rise in cases, there is no proportionate rise in admissions to intensive care units (ICU).
"At present, admissions to ICU and fatalities due to Covid-19 is 80 to 90 per cent lower than the figures reported in August last year, although cases are higher now.
"Our bed occupancy rate and ventilators are still adequate. Although there is an increase in bed utilisation, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this was because some Category One and Two cases are undergoing isolation at hospitals.
"The Health Ministry will be monitoring this trend for the next weeks," he said, during a press conference via Zoom, after chairing the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers Meeting today.
Hishammuddin also said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to announce the date for the reopening of Malaysia's borders soon.
"Reopening the borders is necessary for three reasons. Firstly, we want to ensure the convenience of travellers during the journey.
"Secondly, this decision is made based on scientific facts and data. Thirdly, we have decided on this matter after studying the developments in other countries that are reopening their borders," he said.
The government, he said, is also aiming to resume travel with countries whose borders are still closed through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).
"So far, we have announced VTL with Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand. We are also exploring the possibility to extend this option to other countries as well," he said.
Hishammuddin said all relevant agencies are also working together to roll out an exit plan that will enable Malaysia's transition to the endemic phase. The exit plan, he said, will emphasise seven aspects.
These, he said, include reducing the number of regulations to only seven SOP and nine guidelines; implementing a heightened alert system (HAS); rolling out the National Testing Strategy; emphasis on Test, Report, Inform, Isolate and Seek (TRIIS); strengthening the Find, Test, Trace, Isolate and Support (FTTIS) system; reopening the country's borders and mobilising community empowerment ambassadors.
However, Hishammuddin stressed that the country will only enter a full endemic phase based on announcements from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Meanwhile, the minister, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Feb 22, said he is recovering well and will be released from his quarantine tomorrow.