Malaysians pay half for quarantine
Malaysians who undergo mandatory quarantine at government-designated stations pay a maximum of RM2,100 or 44.7% of the quarantine charges, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The payments were for hotel room charges and for the cost of three meals per day provided while being quarantined, he added.
The estimated cost for quarantine at designated stations is RM4,700 per person.
“The government bears the remaining RM2,600 or 56.3% of the cost of quarantine for each Malaysian returning from abroad
“This covers, among others, transportation cost from the entry points to the quarantine stations and meals as well as personal protection equipment (PPE) for health staff,” he said in a statement.
Also included in the cost borne by the government is for security and secretariat services as well as cleaning and decontamination services at quarantine stations.
From July 24, the government reverted to an earlier policy to quarantine returning Malaysians and foreigners under certain categories in designated quarantine centres.
This was after authorities found many of the returnees failed to remain isolated in a room and to visit health clinics for a second Covid-19 swab test on the 13th day of quarantine.
For foreigners who are allowed to return to Malaysia, they are to bear the full cost.
Ismail Sabri said between July and 27, 1,631 individuals returned to the country through international entry points and were sent to nine quarantine stations in Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Johor.
They were Malaysians returning from 22 countries – Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, India, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Turkey, Korea, Iran, Bangladesh, Taiwan, China, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Australia. On July 27, police checked on 1,776 people ordered to observe the 14-day quarantine at home.
“Police and Health Ministry staff will check and monitor those who undergo home quarantine to ensure those concerned follow the SOP,” said Ismail Sabri. The Star
