Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 22 (BNA): Malaysia announced Friday that it will reopen its doors to foreign workers to face the employment crisis, and allow fully screened tourists to the North Island resort of Langkawi next month without quarantine.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaqoub said the government will use the reopening of Langkawi on November 15, the first time foreign tourists have been allowed to return since March 2020, as a measure of three months before the rest of the country opens, according to the Associated Press. (AFP) reported.
It comes amid a sharp decline in coronavirus cases, and a boosted vaccination campaign with 94% of adults – or 72% of the population – getting their vaccinations. Daily infections have fallen to less than 7,000 from a peak of more than 20,000 in August. Malaysia has recorded a total of 2.41 million cases, with more than 28,000 deaths.
Ismail said that only vacationers from some countries, a list of which will be issued soon, will be allowed in initially. They will have to take COVID-19 tests three days before departure and during their stay. He added that travelers must also have insurance coverage of at least $80,000, stay for a minimum of three days and involve a local tour guide.
Ismail said the government has also agreed to allow foreign workers to return to the farm sector on a case-by-case basis. He said workers should be fully vaccinated, test negative for COVID-19 three days before arrival and undergo a seven-day quarantine.
He said quotas for migrant workers and entry dates for other industries were still being worked out. Officials said the first batch of 32,000 foreign workers is expected soon.
Malaysia banned the hiring of foreign workers in June last year to give local residents more job opportunities, but it has caused severe labor shortages. Malaysia’s National Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the number of foreign workers has dwindled to 1.1 million from 1.9 million in 2018, Star daily reported Thursday.
The chamber’s data showed that farms require 70,000 foreign workers, rubber gloves manufacture 25 thousand, furniture 30 thousand, construction 200 thousand, manufacturing 25 thousand, services 45 thousand, and plastics more than 6000, according to “Star”.
NS