Covid-19 spike puts travel bubble plan with Singapore on hold

Covid-19 spike puts travel bubble plan with Singapore on hold

Tourism minister Nancy Shukri says Malaysia and other nations are being cautions over the rising number of infections this month.

Domestic tourism in Sabah is now allowed with travel across six zones in the state. (Bernama pic)
KOTA KINABALU:
The tourism ministry’s standard operating procedures for its travel bubble with Singapore and other countries are ready but the plan has been put on hold due to rising Covid-19 infections.
Nancy Shukri.

Tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri said Malaysia and most countries were being cautious.

“We have identified several countries, including Singapore, to start a travel bubble but we are waiting for both sides to open borders,” she said at a press conference here today.

Nancy was on a five-day working visit to Sabah which was organised by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).

Nancy said the relevant ministries would need to look at safety and security before allowing tourists to enter.

Malaysia today reported 2,875 Covid-19 infections, the eighth consecutive day seeing daily cases hit more than 2,000.

Jafry Ariffin.

Earlier, Sabah tourism, culture and environment minister Jafry Ariffin said they would initiate talks with Singapore to allow an isolated travel bubble while waiting for borders to open.

One way of managing an isolated travel bubble would be to allow passengers from Singapore to travel by chartered flights and to limit the tourism spots they can visit, he said.

Jafry added that Sabahans were now allowed to travel within six zones in the state.

Zone 1 includes Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Ranau, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan and Papar, while Zone 2 comprises Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang.

Zone 3 has Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas, while Zone 4 comprises Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan and Tongod.

Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Kalabakan are in Zone 5, while Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom are in Zone 6.

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