Revised mandatory quarantine rule

Mask up: Members of the public wearing face masks outdoors in Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.

PETALING JAYA: Quarantine for close contacts of Covid-19 cases will no longer be mandatory from today.

In a Twitter post, the Health Ministry announced that the new guideline would no longer distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

But close contacts who develop Covid-19 symptoms are encouraged to quarantine and perform a Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-Ag) test on the first day they get sick.

This should be followed by another test on the third day.

“If the RTK-Ag result is negative and the symptoms have improved, there is no need to quarantine any more, but do practise preventive measures,” the post said.

“Those who are asymptomatic can skip the quarantine and Covid-19 tests, but should still practise preventive measures for at least five days,” it added.

The preventive measures are to wear a face mask when leaving home, avoid crowded places, and ensure they stay in areas with good ventilation.

Additional preventive measures include avoiding visiting high-risk individuals and only travel for essential needs.

Recently, the health authorities said asymptomatic Covid-19 close contacts would no longer be required to undergo mandatory home quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the new rule would come into effect from today.

Previously, only individuals who had received their booster shots were exempted from a home surveillance order.

“Asymptomatic close contact individuals would still be required to wear face masks when they are outdoors. Avoid visiting crowded places and high-risk groups, and only travel when necessary,” the minister said, adding that symptomatic close contacts, however, would still be advised to self-isolate and undergo an RTK-Ag test upon the onset of symptoms and on the third day.

“If the symptoms persist, these patients should seek treatment at the nearest health facility,” Khairy said.

Separately, Bukit Aman has denied that compound notices would no longer be issued to those not wearing face masks.

Federal Management Department director Comm Datuk Zaini Jass said the status quo remains.

“I can confirm that compound notices will still be issued to those not wearing face masks,” he said when contacted.

He was commenting on a report on a news portal that had claimed compound notices would no longer be issued to those not wearing face masks.