18 April 2022
The recent relaxation of quarantine rules for Covid-19 close contacts was a necessary move, says Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye, a former deputy health minister.
Lee said the relaxation of the rule was part of further loosening of restrictions now that the country had entered the transition to the endemic phase of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The health ministry said on Thursday that close contacts without symptoms no longer have to undergo quarantine, even if they have yet to be vaccinated, beginning on April 22.
Previously, only close contacts who had received their booster jabs and were asymptomatic could skip isolation.
Lee said the high vaccination and booster admission rate was likely to be the reason for the decision. However, the ministry must continue monitoring the situation closely, he said.
He urged close contacts to self-test regularly and take the necessary precautions, to limit the spread of the virus. The public would have to decide how many restrictions they required to prevent themselves from being exposed.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Koh Kar Chai said only time would tell if the relaxation of quarantine was a good or safe move for public health.
“My only concern is that there may be those who will not test themselves even if they have symptoms. Then there are those who test positive yet choose not to report themselves and continue to mingle around with others.”
Source: freemalaysiatoday.com
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