PETALING JAYA: Fully-vaccinated travellers entering the country will begin serving a reduced quarantine period of seven days from Monday (Oct 18), says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister said that from Monday, aside from travellers entering Malaysia, close contacts of Covid-19 cases and individuals given supervision orders would also be subject to the seven-day quarantine period provided they have been fully vaccinated.

       Those subject to the reduction include any citizen, permanent resident, expatriate, diplomatic corps or any other foreigner allowed to enter the country from overseas by the Immigration director-general, Khairy said.

       Close contacts of Covid-19 cases and also individuals given supervision and observation orders by authorised officers, such as individuals returning from high-risk infection areas, are also allowed to reduce their period of quarantine.

       "All individuals mentioned above are subject to this reduction in the mandatory quarantine period, with effect from Oct 18.

       "Meanwhile, those who are not vaccinated or have yet to complete their Covid-19 vaccine doses should undergo a quarantine period of 10 days," said Khairy in a statement on Saturday (Oct 16).

       He also said that individuals who are not vaccinated or have yet to complete their vaccination doses, and are currently at day eight or above of their mandatory quarantine can also take a RT-PCR test starting Saturday.

       "If the Covid-19 test result is negative, they will be granted a release order on Oct 18," he said.

       Khairy added that the existing guidelines are relevant and still applied, with the public reminded to comply with the established regulations.

       Failure to comply with the quarantine procedure is an offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988.