Fully-vaccinated adolescents will be accorded the same privileges as fully-vaccinated adults, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. -BERNAMA PIC
Fully-vaccinated adolescents will be accorded the same privileges as fully-vaccinated adults, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. -BERNAMA PIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Fully-vaccinated adolescents will be accorded the same privileges as fully-vaccinated adults, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The prime minister, in a statement today, said the Covid-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee today had agreed to include complete vaccination requirements for adolescents aged between 12 and 17 in all standard operating procedures (SOP).

"However, it will not be implemented immediately. The government will streamline the related facilities and give teenagers a 'grace period' of three weeks or until mid-November.

"This is to ensure that about 80 per cent of adolescents who have received their first dose at this time, have been fully-vaccinated."

Since the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme for teens began on Sept 20, about 80.2 per cent of adolescents had been inoculated with at least their first dose, equivalent to 2,524,156 individuals.

"This rate is among the fastest in the world," he added.

Ismail Sabri also announced that the committee had agreed with the SOP presented by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on the International Tourism Bubble (Inbound) for the Langkawi island pilot project.

International tourists who wish to take advantage of this international travel bubble, he added, must meet several conditions and comply with SOP set.

He said the target group for the international travel bubble include high-yield and fully-vaccinated tourists.

Children below the age of 18 must be accompanied by fully-vaccinated parents or guardians, with the list of countries allowed to enter subject to approval by the Immigration Department, Health Ministry, and Foreign Ministry.

These international tourists entering Langkawi must stay at least three days, and would not be subject to any quarantine restrictions.

They must also undergo RT-PCR testing 72 hours before departure and bring along a digital or printed copy of their results, and have the MySejahtera app downloaded before departure.

Tourists must also have an insurance coverage of at least US$80,000, engage in tourism services licensed by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, have a valid passport, and Health Declaration Form, Letter of Undertaking and Indemnity visa.

Tourists arriving through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) would be subjected to Rapid Molecular Testing, or if flying in direct to Langkawi, must undergo RT-PCR Covid-19 testing on their second day.

"If they are found to be positive, they will be taken to an isolation or quarantine centre or private hospital (according to their infection category)," he said.

Ismail Sabri also said only one tour guide is allowed per group, with a maximum of 20 people per group.

Tourists travelling for three days must undergo RT-PCR testing on their second day, which could also be used to depart to their home country, while tourists staying five days or longer must be tested on day five.

All costs would be borne by the tourists, he added.

"The pilot project would be conducted for three months, after which the Health Ministry and National Security Council would evaluate its effectiveness before it is implemented to other resort islands and other tourist areas," he said.