KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Fully vaccinated foreign visitors may visit Langkawi, Kedah, without needing to undergo a Covid-19 quarantine from November 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today.

However, Ismail who chairs the Covid-19 Special Committee on Pandemic Management, said the visitors must have at least US$80,000 (RM332,032) insurance coverage and hail from a list of countries approved by the Immigration Department (JIM), Health Ministry (MoH) and the Foreign Ministry (KLN).

He said that the committee agreed to the international tourism bubble SOP (inbound) for the Langkawi island pilot project under the  Covid-19 Special Committee on Pandemic Management, presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).

“Therefore, international tourists who intend to make use of this international travel bubble, must fulfill the requirements and adhere to the SOPs set as per the following: quality tourists (high yield), fully-vaccinated individuals, children below 18-years-old must be present with their respective parents/guardians who are fully-vaccinated, the list of nations allowed is subject to JIM/MOH/KLN,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said that they must also stay for a minimum of three days and that the non-quarantine flexibility only applies for the Langkawi trip.

Tourists must also undergo the PCR-RT Covid-19 test three days before departure, the results of which must be presented either in digital or printed form.

They must also employ tourism operators registered with Motac and register to use the MySejahtera app.

Upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), they will be subjected to the Rapid Molecular Testing or the RT-PCR test in Langkawi should they fly there directly.

“If tested positive, they will be brought directly to isolation/quarantine centres at private hospitals (according to categories),” Ismail said.

He added that tourists who vacation in Langkawi for three days may use their swab test results taken on the second day of their stay for their return flight.

Those staying more than five days must take a mandatory swab test on the fifth day and will be required to take the RT-PCR test three days before flying home.

“This (pilot project) will be run for three months for the MOH and the National Security Council to assess the effectiveness, before it is expanded to other holiday islands as well as other tourist locations,” Ismail said.