NETIZENS are concerned by the arrival of Chinese tourists in Malaysia after Beijing announced the opening of its borders on January 8 and are upset that the Health Ministry (MOH) is allowing tourists from China, where COVID-19 is still prevalent, to come here.
Many countries are taking strict measures against Chinese tourists, imposing restrictions or maintaining their policies regarding COVID-19 rules for incoming Chinese visitors in particular.
Singapore is one of the countries that intends to maintain its strict measures, and Malaysia has announced that it will screen all inbound travellers for fever and test wastewater from aircraft arriving from China for COVID-19 as part of new measures to prevent an outbreak in the aftermath of Beijing’s decision to relax strict zero-COVID policies.
The US and Japan are imposing restrictions on Chinese visitors. South Korea is set to announce new restrictions on Friday, and India began testing on Chinese and three other Asian countries’ arrivals last week.
The Health Ministry announced that all visitors arriving in Malaysia will be subjected to fever tests, in response to concerns about an increase in COVID-19 cases in China.
“Those found feverish, symptomatic, or with self-declared COVID-19 symptoms will be referred to a quarantine centre or to the health authorities for further checks,” its minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said.
At the same time, anyone who has travelled to China in the last 14 days will be required to take an RTK-antigen test, and samples will be sent for genome testing if they test positive for COVID-19, she said.
This also applies to those who have had close contact with people who have recently returned from China, or who have influenza-like illnesses (ILI) or a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI).
Two days ago, on Dec 29, former health minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, wrote on Twitter that, “With more than 50% of Chinese citizens positive upon landing at Milan Airport, global alarm bells and coordination need to be louder.” India, Japan, and the US require a negative COVID test from China.
“Is Malaysia ready..? Not something to ignore…but not overly alarmist though,” he added.
With more than 50% of Chinese citizens positive on landing at Milan Airport, global alarm bells and coordination need to be louder. India, Japan & the US requiring a negative Covid test from China.
Is Malaysia ready..?
Not something to ignore…but not overly alarmist though. https://t.co/LxUg9ZtATL
— Dzulkefly Ahmad (@DrDzul) December 29, 2022
This has sparked numerous reactions on Twitter and Facebook, where netizens are showing their concerns and urging the government to delay the arrival of Chinese tourists for another few months, among other suggestions.
James Chin@jameschin110, a Twitter account used by a professor at the Australia’s University of Tasmania, wrote:
“Hello… anyone listening?”. The same James Chin also posted on Facebook saying, “If you are not afraid, you should be …” in response to a picture of the post by Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad on Twitter.
A popular Malaysian Twitter account, @lady_bugg11 also commented on the Chinese tourist arrival.
“Please don’t make a huge mistake. @Zaliha_DrZ. Kadang2 tak demam pun, tapi positif covid. Negara baru nak pulih dan ekonomi baru nak melonjak…utamakan keselamatan rakyat dulu…please.”
She is literally urging the Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa not to make a huge mistake because sometimes people who are not feverish can also be COVID-positive. “The country is just recovering and the economy is growing; put the safety of the people first, please,” she wrote. — Dec 31, 2022
Please dont make a huge mistake. @Zaliha_DrZ . Kadang2 tak demam pun, tapi positif covid. Negara baru nak pulih dan ekonomi baru nak melonjak…utamakan keselamatan rakyat dulu…please. pic.twitter.com/SZ0cG24p7k
— CIKY🔺NIE (@lady_bugg11) December 30, 2022
