JOHOR BARU: The government has been urged to review its decision to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for Malaysians returning from Singapore.

       Malaysia-Singapore Workers Task Force president Dayalan Sreebalan (pic) said all returning Malaysians from across the Causeway have to undergo quarantine at hotels designated as quarantine centres.

       "With Singapore recording less than five new Covid-19 cases per day over the past 14 days, is there a need for returning Malaysians to undergo quarantine at hotels where they must absorb the cost, which is more than RM2,100?

       "The government, in particular the Health Ministry, should take into consideration the high cost as many Malaysians are facing financial difficulties," Dayalan said Tuesday (July 13).

       He added that the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for returning Malaysians from Singapore can be done at their respective homes after going through a swab test.

       "The majority of Malaysians who have returned from Singapore have already completed their two vaccination doses there," he added.

       Since May 13 this year, Malaysia imposed a strict 14-day quarantine for travellers entering the country from Singapore under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).

       This comes as authorities here have listed Singapore as one of several countries that have reported the spread of Covid-19 variants from South Africa, United Kingdom, Brazil and India in the community.

       Previously, travellers under the PCA scheme were required to serve a seven-day at-home quarantine and undergo a swab test for Covid-19.