S'wak bans Italian and Iranian travellers, after China and South Korea

KUCHING: After China and South Korea, the Sarawak government is now banning foreign travellers coming in from Italy and Iran to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The state disaster management committee said all foreigners who visited China, South Korea, Italy and Iran in the past 14 days would be refused entry.

It also said Malaysians who had been to these countries in the last 14 days were "strongly advised" not to visit Sarawak.

Sarawakians, Sarawakian permanent residents, work and student pass holders who visited these countries must undergo compulsory home quarantine for 14 days.

"They will be subjected to random monitoring by the medical authorities," the committee said in a statement on Wednesday (Mar 4).

South Korea has reported over 5,000 Covid-19 cases, while Italy and Iran have more than 2,000 cases each.

The committee also said visitors from other countries affected by Covid-19, including Singapore, Indonesia and Japan, must adhere to precautionary guidelines issued by the state Health Department at all entry points into Sarawak.

"The above actions are taken as part of the state government's efforts and measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in Sarawak," it said.

So far, no known Covid-19 infection has been detected in the state.

From Jan 10 to Mar 3, the state has recorded a total of 158 cases of persons under investigation.

Of the total, 136 have tested negative, while 22 more are awaiting laboratory test results.