Speaking to FMT, former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said the tourism green bubble idea was still at an experimental stage and SOPs should, therefore, be strictly enforced to ensure the safety of travellers and the success of the initiative.

“Once we can be sure of travellers’ safety, then we can remove restrictions in stages,” he said.

Recently, officials found nine Covid-19 cases among travellers intending to enter Langkawi, the country’s first tourism green bubble. It opened to visitors on Sept 16.

After the cases emerged, Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad voiced concern over the lack of physical distancing on flights and ferries.

Melaka, Genting Highlands, and Tioman island will soon join Langkawi in the tourism green bubble project.

Lee proposed several enforcement measures, namely travel only for fully vaccinated tourists, pre-travel Covid-19 screening, and strict SOP implementation during travel and transit.

“Tourists should be monitored for four weeks after returning from Langkawi so we can better understand the impact of the tourism green bubble,” he said.

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Koh Kar Chai has a similar concern.

He told FMT that authorities should consider disallowing travellers with influenza-like illnesses or those with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (Sari) symptoms.

“Airlines must also ensure that sanitisation of aircraft is carried out regularly as per guidelines provided,” he said.