Just bring in tom yam, not Covid-19: Perak MB to Thai workers

IPOH – If Thai nationals wish to return to Malaysia (for work), they need to bring in only tom yam and not Covid-19, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

This was following the announcement on the full reopening of the country’s borders beginning March 1 without travellers, visitors and migrant workers having to undergo compulsory quarantine.

Saarani, however, hoped that the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) could be tightened due to the increase of Covid-19 cases.

“We have no objection (to the reopening of the country’s borders), as it is one of the ways or measures for our economy to recover.

“In Perak, our border opening with Thailand is only at Pengkalan Hulu, Gerik. Now we have been receiving complaints on tom yam restaurants not being reopened yet after two years (of the Covid-19 pandemic). 

“The SOPs should be tightened further as we don’t want the people, particularly those in Perak, to be victims of Covid-19,” he said.

Saarani had earlier launched the Ipoh City Council’s Strategic Plan and Ipoh Low-Carbon City and Walkable City 2030 initiatives, here, with mayor Datuk Rumaizi Bahari also present.

Yesterday, the National Recovery Council agreed to fully reopen the country’s borders by March 1 without compulsory quarantine.

Its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Covid-19 test, however, needed to be done as proposed by the Health Ministry, before departure and upon arrival at the country’s main entry points. – Bernama, February 9, 2022