Khairy: Do self-test before visiting family

PUTRAJAYA: With interstate travel set to resume, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin called on those with “balik kampung” plans to undergo Covid-19 self-test before visiting family members.

The government has stated that people could cross state borders once 90% of the adult population have been vaccinated.

Currently, the rate is at 88.4%.

“(Only) 1.6% before interstate borders open. While the Health Ministry has transitioned to symptomatic testing, we encourage people who are in high contact and mobility settings to test regularly.

“If you want to balik kampung to see your elderly parents, do a RTK saliva test. Keep them safe,” Khairy tweeted yesterday.

To a question from a Twitter user, Khairy said there would continue to be random checks on standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance at premises.

“This will remain as part of the police’s Ops Patuh,” he said, citing random checks on restaurants and premises.

“This will still be important. But certainly no massive roadblocks.”

The government is preparing to transition Malaysia from the Covid-19 pandemic to an endemic phase, where all sectors are reopened and people learn to live with the virus.

“As we transition towards endemicity, we cannot police things anymore, such as setting up roadblocks to see if you have been fully vaccinated or tested,” he said.

Khairy said the onus was now on the Malaysian public to practise responsible behaviour.

“Much will now depend on personal responsibility and behaviour. I believe we can rise to the challenge in #ReopeningSafely,” he said.