Malaysia is keeping an eye on the situation following the discovery of Omicron in Singapore

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Malaysia's Ministry of Health is keeping a careful eye on reports that Singapore has discovered two cases of the novel Covid-19 variant Omicron.

Additional testing to detect the existence of the new variety, in addition to arrival and pre-departure testing, will be increased, according to Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah.

"We're keeping a careful eye on the situation and, as promised, we're ramping up the testing."

 

"We will undertake the genome sequencing test for individuals who are high-risk," Tan Sri Noor Hisham said when approached on Thursday (Dec 2).

Two imported cases were preliminarily tested positive for Omicron, according to the Singaporean Health Ministry on Thursday.

According to Singaporean health officials, both individuals were isolated upon arrival in Singapore on Wednesday and had not interacted with anyone in the community.

 

Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced on Monday that his ministry will increase genetic surveillance at the country's international border crossings to ensure that the new Covid-19 variant Omicron could be spotted early.

Malaysia has also temporarily barred travellers from nations that have reported the Omicron strain or are considered high-risk countries from entering the country.

The travel ban currently affects eight African countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi, but Mr Khairy said it might be expanded to include other countries where the variant has been discovered.

 

Following the discovery of instances with the Omicron strain, Malaysia temporarily restricted travellers from more than 20 nations from participating in the Langkawi international travel bubble programme.

The United Kingdom, Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Nigeria, Belgium, Japan, Brazil, Norway, the Czech Republic, France or Reunion Island, Austria, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and California in the United States are among the countries and areas.

 

At least 25 nations have reported cases linked to the new Covid-19 type, according to the World Health Organization.

The prohibition also applies to anyone who have visited certain countries or territories within the previous 14 days.

 

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Edited December 3, 2021 by ASEAN NOW Content Team