Ismail Sabri: Time is not right to allow free travel, even from 'green zone' countries

PUTRAJAYA: It is still not a good time to reopen the country's borders, even from "green zone" countries, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, adding that the government is monitoring changes in the global Covid-19 situation.

The Senior Minister (Security) said the government had previously announced that travellers from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and Brunei – countries identified as green countries – would be allowed into Malaysia.

However, this reciprocal agreement hit a snag when Covid-19 cases in Australia and Japan went up again.

"We have begun allowing individuals from countries which are free of or have registered a small number of cases to enter Malaysia, but the number is limited and with Immigration Department permission.

"There is a possibility that we will include more countries into the 'green travel bubble' list but for now, we are monitoring, discussing and studying the matter," he said on Tuesday (Dec 22).

Ismail Sabri said that the Foreign Ministry would also be roped into the discussion.

"But it is not the time to make any announcement yet because things can change and the changes can be rapid," he said.