Malaysia eases travel curbs as Covid outbreak slows

Malaysia eased domestic and international travel curbs for those fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, as a fierce outbreak slows.

Malaysia eased domestic and international travel curbs on Sunday for those fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, as a fierce outbreak slows and inoculation rates rise.

The Southeast Asian nation had faced its worst Covid-19 wave in recent months, prompting authorities to impose a tough nationwide lockdown.

But with case numbers falling and the inoculation rollout picking up speed, authorities began lifting curbs, with businesses allowed to reopen and workers slowly returning to offices.

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer vaccine for a group of villagers in Pos Simpor, a village and settlement of Orang Asli (indigenous Malaysians) in the district of Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia. Picture: Annice Lyn/Getty Images

In a televised address on Sunday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced fully inoculated people can move freely within the country, as well as fly overseas without special permission.

“According to the ministry of health, the vaccination rate for the adult population … has reached 90 per cent,” he said to explain the move that takes effect on Monday.

But Ismail Sabri warned people to continue abiding by rules such as mask-wearing to keep the virus in check.

“Do not be complacent … This is important in the government’s efforts to reopen the economy,” he said.

Congratulations Keluarga Malaysia! We have successfully achieved our target of vaccinating 90% of the adult population.

Starting 11 October 2021, Interstate travel will be allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals.#KeluargaMalaysia#BekerjaBersamaRakyat#ReopeningSafelypic.twitter.com/98IOzLkKVN

— Ismail Sabri (@IsmailSabri60) October 10, 2021

Malaysians had been prohibited from travelling between the country’s different states since January, apart from in exceptional circumstances.

Overseas travel had only been allowed for those who got special permission by applying through an official system.

A man sits on his wheelchair as he begs on a backstreet in Kuala Lumpur. Picture: Mohd Rasfan / AFP

While this requirement is being dropped, returning travellers will still need to undergo quarantine.

Malaysia largely avoided a first wave of the virus at the start of the pandemic last year after imposing restrictions and closing its borders.

It was hit hard this year by the Delta variant, and was logging over 20,000 cases a day and hundreds of deaths in August.

But after one of Southeast Asia’s fastest vaccine rollouts, infection rates have slowed.

The country of 32 million has recorded over 2.3 million cases and 27,000 deaths.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in a prerecorded message at UN headquarters last month. Picture: Eduardo Munoz / AFP

Originally published as Malaysia eases travel curbs as Covid outbreak slows