PETALING JAYA: The large number of people at the airport is a cause for concern as standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are being ignored.

       Travellers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) who travel for work or leisure, say they have no choice but to contend with the crowd at the terminal, no matter how large it may be.

       Oil and gas freelance contractor, Faqhrul Izzudin, said he needs to travel for work as he had been cooped up throughout the movement restrictions this year. He has no choice but to brave “the sea of humans” at the airport.

       “There is nothing much we can do as the crowd seems uncontrollable during the peak hours. But we still need to travel, and for my case, it is for work,” said the 21-year-old from Negri Sembilan.

       Faqhrul added that he is grateful that travel restrictions have been finally lifted and that his livelihood had changed little in comparison to the pre-pandemic phase.

       “It was hard for me during the pandemic because the nature of my job required that I travel around the country, as well as Singapore.

       “I just hope the public would not be lax despite the ease of travelling. We want to be safe so we should follow the guidelines,” said Faqhrul, who was about to fly off to Bintulu with his colleagues.

       His colleague Azlan Mohamad, 40, said: “There are too many people (at KLIA2), so physical distancing seems almost impossible, especially at the check-in counters.

       “The least we can do is to wear our masks properly and make sure we have been fully vaccinated before travelling.”

       He added as a precautionary measure, his company requires employees to get tested for Covid-19 before being allowed to work.

       The Star’s observations at the departure hall found that the crowd surged during the peak flight hours which were usually late in the morning.

       A number of ground staff and auxiliary police were seen assisting travellers while making sure SOPs were complied with.

       More can certainly be stationed to ensure high compliance, said a 52-year-old traveller from Kuala Lumpur bound for Langkawi, who wished to be known as Chan.

       He said the high volume of travellers is understandable as the public want to travel after being homebound for most of the year.

       An elderly couple from Johor Baru, who wanted to remain anonymous, said auxiliary police and ground staff have been doing a good job in assisting travellers.

       “There were so many people queuing at the check-in counters, we had to line up for almost an hour.

       “However, the ground staff offered their assistance and the police can be seen trying to control the people in lines,” said the 73-year old woman who is travelling with her 80-year old husband to Penang.

       “Of course, I am worried (about the crowd), but there is nothing much we can do. We still need to take the flight and travel,” she said, adding they were meeting their daughter who lives on the island.

       In a reply, AirAsia Group said the congestion was caused by a number of factors, including guests who were unaware of the restrictions and requirements that are still applicable to certain people travelling to Sabah and Sarawak.

       They have since come up with a travel advisory to guide passengers on the applicable restrictions and requirements, as entry to Sarawak and Sabah have different requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

       Sarawak requires all passengers to complete the e-Health Declaration Form, which is only valid for 12 hours before arrival.

       “It is advisable that guests fill it up before leaving for the airport on the departure date,” it said.

       AirAsia Group also noted that non-Sarawakians are still required to apply via EnterSarawak (Sarawakdisastermc.com/entersarawak), which also applies to all travellers entering Sarawak.

       Those entering Sarawak from overseas will have to undergo an RT-PCR test three days prior to entering the state, and observe quarantine upon arrival.

       As for Sabah, it said a traveller has to present a negative RT-PCR or RTK-Ag test result that is valid three days prior to the departure date before the traveller can be given boarding access.

       AirAsia Group also said passengers are advised to arrive three hours before departure at the airport for the safety screening and boarding process.

       For more travel requirements to Sabah and Sarawak, visit https://newsroom.airasia.com/news/urgent-reminders-for-travellers-to-sabah-sarawak.

       In a statement last week, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd said as the surge of travellers is expected over the next few months, all airports under its jurisdiction will continue to enforce Covid-19 safety measures.

       The measures include enhanced sanitisation and disinfection exercises, as well as mandatory thermal screening, usage of face masks, sneeze guard screens, sanitiser stations, and physical distancing reminders, among others.