Govt revises Covid-19 quarantine SOP for shipping crew

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

KUALA LUMPUR: The standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the exchange of ship crewmen have been revised, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister (Security) said those who are involved with the "sign on" process are required to undergo a swab test.

"If they tested negative, they will have to undergo quarantine for 14 days. If positive, they will be sent to a hospital for treatment.

"For crewmen who are involved in a "sign off", they are only required to undergo a swab test (without quarantine) if their ship has been in Malaysian waters for more than 14 days.

"However, they will be escorted from the ship to the airport directly for their return to their home countries," he told a press conference on Saturday (Oct 3).

If the ship had harboured at other countries before reaching Malaysia for the sign off process (within the 14-day period), the crewmen must undergo a swab test and mandatory 14 days quarantine, he added.

"We reached this decision after the special National Security Council (NSC) meeting today," he said.

Ismail Sabri also said the meeting decided that the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar complex in Johor will be operational from 7am until 7pm for every vehicle.

"For the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, the operation hours for heavy vehicles is 24 hours but for light vehicles, it is from 8am until 12am," he said.