Covid-19 Watch: More curbs to be eased once kids are vaccinated, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: More relaxations of Covid-19 curbs will be introduced once the booster immunisation programme reaches a satisfactory level, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

This includes the easing of border controls and travel requirements, said the Health Minister.

"Now that we have kick started the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids), we can give protection to the last group of our population.

"Once we have completed vaccinating this group and when the number of people who have received booster shots have reached a satisfactory level, the ministry will propose to the government to allow more relaxations.

"There are few restrictions that we still have such as border control and mandatory quarantine.

"I already have a plan of how we can reach a stage where we feel safe and comfortable to open up even more.

"With a good health system in place, we will be able to expand our economic recovery plans," said Khairy at the launch of PICKids at Hospital Tunku Azizah here on Thursday (Feb 3).

Later at a press conference, Khairy said the ministry was still deciding on the best vaccination take up rate where the country could start opening up.

"The ministry is still undergoing an internal discussion on what the threshold should be in terms of booster or children vaccination rates before recommending the government to open up.

"I have an idea, but I do not want to inform just yet. We are almost there. Once we are firm, we will make the recommendation to the Ministerial Quartet.

"I want to see more people getting their booster jabs. We have hit 55% rate for adults but we seem to have hit a wall as there are many who are reluctant to get boosters.

"We want to open borders and ease up on restrictions, so for those who are eligible for boosters but have not taken them, please do so.

"As for children, we are not aiming for 100% but we would like to achieve a good percentage. The threshold will be determined later," said Khairy.

Khairy said the government would also not open up in a drastic manner, such as those implemented in countries like Denmark.

"Our approach in terms of reopening the economy will be calibrated, targeted and proportionate.

"Even though we have one of the best vaccination programmes in the world, we will still adopt a careful approach.

"We will allow more freedom but as for mask-wearing, that will stay for the foreseeable future.

"As for extending opening hours of businesses, yes, we will be looking into that," said Khairy.

He also said the ministry will make "significant changes" to the quarantine requirements for Covid-19 positive cases.

"We will make an announcement on this but we want to wait until after the Chinese New Year period," said Khairy.