KUCHING: Sarawak has tightened its entry and quarantine requirements following outbreaks of the Covid-19 Delta variant of concern in Labuan and several states in Peninsular Malaysia.

       The state disaster management committee said the Delta variant was more infectious and increased the risk of hospitalisation.

       "In light of the risk of this variant of concern, we have reviewed the entry procedures into Sarawak with the state Health Department.

       "We will follow the quarantine procedures set by the Health Ministry on June 15 with additional requirements for entry into the state," it said in a statement on Friday (June 25).

       Effective immediately, any individual who has been in Labuan for the past 21 days, will not be allowed to enter Sarawak for the time being except in an emergency with approval from the committee.

       All travellers from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka must take a PCR test three days before travel and upon arrival at international gateways, must also undergo the mandatory 21-day quarantine at the first point of entry into the country.

       They must show a negative result from a PCR test on the 18th day before being allowed to enter Sarawak and will be quarantined upon arrival in the state until a repeat test came back negative.

       Travellers from other countries must also take a PCR test three days before flying and upon arrival, undergo a 14-day quarantine at the first point of entry.

       To enter Sarawak, they must have a negative test result on the 10th day and will be quarantined for one week in the state, with another test to be taken on the fourth day.

       Effective June 28, those returning to Sarawak from other states in Malaysia must have a negative test result taken three days before entry.

       They will be quarantined for two weeks upon arrival and undergo another test on the 10th day.

       They must also monitor their health for at least seven days after being released from quarantine and get tested at the nearest health facility if they show any symptoms.

       "These decisions are important to ensure that Covid-19 variants of concern do not spread and infect people in the state," the committee said.