Foreign tourists can now visit Langkawi, a popular holiday destination in Malaysia, from November 15, under an international tourism bubble initiative.
The pilot project will operate for three months and be evaluated by the National Security Council and Health Ministry before other destinations are opened up, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The list of approved countries whose residents can visit is yet to be announced.
The target demographic for the project includes fully vaccinated, high-yield individuals with children below 18 accompanied by parents or guardians.
The tourists should get a PCR test done 72 hours before departure, stay in Langkawi for at least three days, have insurance coverage of at least US$80,000, and download the MySejahtera contact tracing app.
At Kuala Lumpur International airport, a rapid molecular test will be done before the tourists continue to Langkawi. Those going directly to Langkawi should get a PCR test done on the second day. While departing, those staying for three days can show their second-day covid test, but those staying for five or more days will have to get tested on day 5 at their own cost to show at the airport.
Nigel Wong, secretary-general, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents hoped that Singapore will be included in the initial list.
