Groups worried over incoming Chinese visitors

Preparation is key: Leong (left) and Subramaniam believe there should be plans in place.

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia must have proper mechanisms in place before reopening its doors to travellers and tourists from China, local tourism groups have urged.

Malaysia Tour Guides Association president Jimmy Leong said the country must be well prepared before allowing these travellers into the country again.

“The (number) of Covid-19 cases in China is still very high, and we must have a few mechanisms to protect the health of our people.

“The country cannot afford another lockdown, which will impact our economy again,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Leong, who is also Johor Tourist Guides Association president, said the government should look at how other countries are preparing to receive Chinese tourists.

“We should ask ourselves whether we can do away with tourists coming from China for the time being, and see whether there is a surge of Covid-19 cases in those countries,” he added.

Johor Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents chairman K. Subramaniam said having terms and conditions for travellers from China would help safeguard Malaysia.

“Having a test for Covid-19 two days before travelling and once when entering Malaysia are among the measures that should be looked into by our authori- ties.

“We have received many requests from tour groups coming from China, and I do hope that the standard operating procedure will be in place before their arrival,” he added.

Subramaniam also said that Johor was among the key destinations for Chinese tourists as it was located between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

He added that Chinese tourists would stay in the state for a while before going to Kuala Lumpur or into the island republic during their travels.