The ministry said the self-tests should be carried out on the first day after contact with an infected person, with the next test done two days later.

“If a person is infected today, test results may come back as negative. This is because the incubation period varies from one person to another.

“In cases involving the Omicron variant, the incubation period is three days.

“So if a person tests negative on the first day, we suggest that another test be carried out on the third day, or when common symptoms appear.

“There is no need to self-test for three consecutive days,” a statement from the ministry to FMT read.

The ministry’s statement comes after a virologist recommended that self-testing be carried out three days in a row after returning from high-risk areas.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Kumitaa Theva Das said this was recommended for those in contact with others frequently.