Incoming travellers can pre-book RTK-Antigen tests, says KOOP MMA chief

PETALING JAYA: To reduce congestion at airports, incoming travellers can now pre-book professional RTK-Antigen tests at private clinics, says Kooperasi Persatuan Perubatan Malaysia (KOOP MMA).

KOOP MMA is a cooperative by members of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

KOOP MMA chairman Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said private clinics are now offering the required professional Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK-Ag) testing service at their clinics.

He said this is being done through a programme by KOOP MMA – a cooperative by members of the MMA and eMedAsia.com – the programme's digital platform provider.

“The professional RTK-Ag testing service is available via pre-booking online for international travellers at www.traveller.emedasia.com.

The professional RTK-Ag testing service at participating clinics via pre-booking online is priced at RM70 per test,” he said.

“Around 2,000 private general practitioners are participating in the programme.

"We welcome the decision by the Health Ministry for making professional RTK-Ag tests a requirement for travellers entering Malaysia,'' he said in a statement on Saturday (April 2).

Dr Thirunavukarasu added that professionally conducted RTK-Ag tests by trained medical professionals will ensure a higher accuracy in testing, which will be vital in preventing the import of infections as the country further opens up the economy with the re-opening of our borders to international travellers.

"Our tourism sector, which was one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic, needs to be safeguarded against disruptions.

"We need to ensure preventive measures at the highest level for all visitors to our country and the population for a smooth transition to endemicity.

“We foresee that testing at the airport upon arrival may hold up travellers and cause congestion. This can be an unpleasant experience for our international visitors and it may even lead to new Covid-19 clusters just when we are reviving our nation's tourism.

"By pre-booking the professional RTK-Ag testing service, travellers can collect their luggage, head to their hotels, freshen-up and come out to the clinic to get themselves tested exclusively," he said.

He added that plans are in the pipeline to provide mobile professional testing where the service is sent to the traveller.

Starting 1st April 2022, all inbound travellers will be given a Travellers Card on their MySejahtera app and within 24 hours upon arrival, are required to get a professional RTK-Ag test done at any of the appointed private or government clinics which use the eCovid system –Malaysia’s Covid-19 outbreak management system.

The Travellers Card will be removed when the traveller tests negative and the result is updated on their MySejahtera app. However, if a fully vaccinated traveller did not get a professional RTK-Ag test done within 24 hours, they will be issued with a Home Surveillance Order for five days through the MySejahtera app.

All test results updated in the eCovid or MyVas system will be updated in MySejahtera within 10 minutes.

A traveller can only leave the private healthcare facility once the Travellers Card is removed and MySejahtera is updated with the result.

For more information on the professional RTK-Ag tests for international travellers, visit www.traveller.emedasia.com.