PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has shortened the duration time for fully vaccinated close contacts and international arrivals from Monday (Oct 18), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister said for close contacts, they would need to undergo home quarantine for seven days.

       "Close contacts who are partially vaccinated or not vaccinated will need to undergo home quarantine for 10 days."

       He said for international travellers who were fully vaccinated, they would need to be quarantined for seven days upon arrival.

       This could be done at a designated quarantine station or at home if the latter was found appropriate.

       The Prime Minister said the new rules were decided by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Pandemic Management meeting on Friday (Oct 15).

       He also said international arrivals who were partially vaccinated or not vaccinated would need to undergo quarantine for 10 days at a designated quarantine station.

       It was reported that all international arrivals would need to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

       An SOP for international travel for the purpose of umrah, which was tabled during the technical working group pandemic management meeting on Sept 27, had been gazetted in line with the announcement to allow interstate travels on Oct 11.

       "In relation to that, pilgrims are allowed to perform umrah following the decision to remove the MyTravelPass requirement effective Monday," said the Prime Minister.