ALOR STAR: It is unwise for the country to deny entry for visitors from China in spite of the country's high Covid-19 transmission rate.
Kedah Tourism Committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said it was unfair to single out visitors from China as other countries were also experiencing a surge of Covid-19 infections.
He said imposing strict health rules for incoming visitors would be a better option instead of denying them entry.
"If there is no recommendation from health experts, what is the point of blocking (visitors from China)? If we just block visitors from one country, it is not fair, because other countries, including India, are also recording a high number of cases too.
"I believe it is important for us to heed the advice by experts from the Health Ministry," he said today.
Firdaus said it would be more practical for the government to impose a strict standard operating procedure (SOP) on visitors to curb imported Covid-19 transmission instead of enforcing a blanket ban.
"If they are tested negative for the virus, they should be allowed to travel anywhere in the country, we have learnt this in managing the pandemic since 2020," he said.
He also encouraged tourism players in Kedah, especially in Langkawi, to do their part in managing Covid-19 threat, such as testing foreign visitors upon their arrival.
"By doing this, tourism players protect their premises and help government manage the risk of Covid-19 transmission," he said.
Langkawi Tourist Guide Association president Ardi Bahador said the resort island needed to woo visitors from China to rejuvenate businesses.
He suggested the government to impose Covid-19 RTK antigen test on inbound visitors 48 hours prior to their arrival and upon their arrival.
"This can be done for two or three months while the government assess the Covid situation," he told the New Straits Times.
Ardi said businesses Langkawi were still recovering from the pandemic and the island should welcome visitors to revive its tourism sector.
"Things are quiet during the weekdays and tourism players are suffering.
"We do have cruises returning, but it not as many as before the pandemic," he said.
He said the association hoped that the Health Ministry, the Transport Ministry and Tourism Malaysia would act fast with a clear SOP to ensure tourist arrivals in Langkawi would not be affected.
Yesterday, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing urged the people, especially social media users, to be mindful when making comments regarding the arrival of tourists from China into the country.
Covid cases in China have surged since the country eased its pandemic restrictions. The country will also scrap quarantine requirement for travellers on Jan 8, a development which tourism players hope will revive the sector.
Malaysia had announced that it will test sewage samples from aircraft arriving from China and increase surveillance at international entry points.
All visitors entering the country must undergo temperature checks and symptomatic visitors will be referred to the health authorities.
The measures, however, sparked concern that the influx of tourists from China would bring another wave of Covid-19 infections to Malaysia.
The Health Ministry yesterday said it was stepping up Covid-19 prevention measures, including making stepping surveillance on foreign arrivals.