Malaysia on Sunday lifted interstate and international travel restrictions for residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as the country achieved its target of inoculating 90% of its adult population. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has agreed to allow fully vaccinated Malaysians to travel overseas without applying for permission. The new rules take effect on Monday. FILE PHOTO: Tourists arrive at the airport as Langkawi reopens to domestic tourists, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaysia September 16, 2021. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng The government is preparing to shift into an endemic COVID-19 phase where it will not impose wide lockdowns again if cases rise, Ismail Sabri told a news conference. "We have to train ourselves to liv...
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The first plane carrying tourists in more than four months touched down on the Malaysian island of Langkawi on Thursday and was greeted by a twin water cannon "salute", in the launch of a programme to revive a travel sector frozen by the pandemic. The first batch of 159 travellers from the capital, Kuala Lumpur, arrived eager for a vacation after a monthslong, nationwide lockdown imposed to address one of Asia's highest per-capital coronavirus infection rates. Tourists arrive at the airport as Langkawi reopens to domestic tourists, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaysia September 16, 2021. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng Known for its beaches, geoparks, bird life and impressive rock formations, Langkawi, a group of 99 islands, is the test case in a drive to allow vac...
Read MoreBusinesses at Malaysia's prime holiday destination are gearing up to welcome the return of tourists this week, as the country takes an early step towards recovery from a devastating coronavirus crisis. Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands in the Straits of Malacca, will reopen from Sept. 16 to fully vaccinated travellers as part of a domestic tourism bubble, with strict protocols in place to thwart the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurant owner Esther Lee said she was excited the bubble was finally being launched. "Finally we can welcome customers and this is actually our main source of income to actually survive," she said. "We have like staff under us, we have overhead costs to bear so we definitely need dining customers." The plan is similar to that introduced in Thail...
Read MoreDesaru Coast, Malaysia’s up-and-coming luxury travel destination, has been named in Time magazine’s list of World’s Greatest Places 2021. The 17-kilometre stretch of pristine beach in the state of Johor is poised to make the most of its newfound prestige as destinations are reopening around the world. The only Malaysian locale to make the list, Desaru is in fact no stranger to the spotlight. Back in the 70’s and 80’s, its unspoilt beaches, mangrove forests and fruit farms were a popular playground for holidaymaking residents of Singapore to which Desaru is linked by causeways. Today, its sandy shores are drawing crowds once again thanks to the arrival of Desaru Coast — an ambitious integrated resort that is home to championship golf courses, a water park boasting the largest wave p...
Read MoreMalaysia has detected its first case of a highly infectious coronavirus variant first identified in India, Health Minister Adham Baba said on Sunday, days after imposing a ban on flights from India. The variant, named B.1.617, was detected in an Indian national screened at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, he said. FILE PHOTO: Medical workers collect swab samples from people at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing centre in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng The World Health Organisation has described it as a “variant of interest”, suggesting it may have mutations that would make the virus more transmissible, cause more severe disease or evade vaccine immunity. Malaysia, which is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, on Wednesday banned flights to and from In...
Read MoreMalaysia-based carrier Malindo Air has launched a retrenchment exercise ranging from termination to a year’s unpaid leave for 2,647 employees, the human resources ministry said on Wednesday, as the coronavirus pandemic batters the aviation industry. Reeling from a slump in demand in the wake of travel curbs, the Malaysian arm of Indonesia’s Lion Air had already ordered a 50% pay cut and unpaid leave for staff in March. “The ministry... has conducted discussions with Malindo Air’s management on Nov. 3 to ensure the rights of the affected workers are protected and appropriate assistance is given,” said Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan. The plan unveiled on Sunday gave 439 employees notice of a year’s unpaid leave, with the possibility of being hired again when the economy ...
Read MoreRainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2020, Rainforest World Music Festival Fringe (RWMFF) and Rainforest in the City (RITC) events, originally scheduled to be held in July 2020 were postponed due to COVID-19 situation around the world. This announcement by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) was in light of the statement issued by the State Disaster Management Committee and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak that all government and public gatherings involving more than 250 participants should be postponed to a later date. These events have been postponed and not cancelled for now and the organising committee plans to mobilise them if the situation gets better. With more than 20,000 expected visitors from over 30 countries, the RWMF 2020 was, as always, extremely important for Sar...
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