Malaysians who come back from overseas now have no choice but to be quarantined in designated centres because up to 15% did not comply with home quarantine orders.
This means that you will not be able to go home when you arrive back in Malaysia as the authorities will immediately bring you to quarantine centres after you arrive at the airport starting 3 April.
According to The Star, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Health Ministry found positive Covid-19 cases in the country spread locally by those who came back from overseas, indicating that those who were supposed to be on home quarantine still went out.
“We have identified 364 quarantine centres to put up these returning Malaysians,” he said.
“We find that when we ask people to do home quarantine, the compliance rate is about 75% to 80% because there are people who are supposed to stay at home but still go out.”
“So now, we will put them at a special place for 14 days.”
The announcement was made by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday (31 March) who said that those coming back will immediately be sent to government quarantine centres as soon as they step off the plane, reported The Star.
“We noted that some countries are experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases because its citizens are returning from abroad,” he said.
“That is why the meeting decided that everyone who returns to Malaysia will be quarantined for 14 days.”
He also said that they will be screened and tested to determine their health status and that all standard operating procedures will be adhered to.
“Because of this, the public need not come to the airport to pick up their family members because once they arrive, they will be taken to the quarantine centres,” he said.
“However, they can still keep in touch with their loved ones via phone.”
Also read: Malaysian Ministry Say Women Should Use Doraemon Voice to Ask Husband For Help For a Peaceful Home