Sabah should allow China tourists to visit subject to conditions, says state tourism association

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should allow travellers from China into the state subject to some terms and conditions, says the Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA).

SATTA president Datuk Winston Liaw said for economic reasons, it was time to allow tourists from China to visit the state, but it was necessary to also take precautions in doing so.

“To take precautionary steps, we propose that Chinese tourists must test negative for Covid-19 48 hours before they depart for Malaysia,” he said when contacted Sunday (Jan 1).

He said upon arrival, the usual standard operating procedures such as wearing masks must be enforced.

On Dec 31, Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state government has decided that they would only determine how to manage arrivals from China after getting a briefing from the state Health Department.

He said an announcement is expected to be made after the Sabah Health Department gives its briefing and recommendations to the state Cabinet on Wednesday (Jan 4).

Prior to that, he had said that effective Jan 1, 2023, those arriving from China needed to be tested negative for Covid-19 within 48 hours prior to entering Sabah.

Masidi, however, retracted his statement within hours.