ARAU: Some 300 tourists had their trips to Langkawi interrupted at the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal here on Thursday (Sept 16) after all of them had to undergo compulsory Covid-19 screening.

       Ferryline Ventures Sdn Bhd human resource and operations manager Captain Baharin Baharom said all three ferry trips to Langkawi from the terminal at 7.30am, 8.30am and 9.30am were affected by the latest ruling from the Health Ministry.

       "All passengers must take the test first before they are allowed to board the ferry and resume their trip," he said when contacted.

       Captain Baharin said in conjunction with the Malaysia Day public holiday and the first day of Langkawi reopening under the travel bubble scheme, many tourists were worried that they might not be able to board the ferries on time.

       He said due to the interruption, the first ferry service of the day was temporarily halted for about 30 minutes, the second for about an hour and the last at 9.30am was delayed for about two hours.

       He said the situation was brought under control and the last ferry departed at 1.15pm.

       "We have taken the risk to wait and to give the opportunity to those who wanted to make a trip to Langkawi as low tide was approaching.

       "However, all passengers were able to board the ferry," he said.

       On Wednesday (Sept 15), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said travellers under the Langkawi travel bubble scheme must take Covid-19 tests before departure.

       Khairy had said this could be done via RT-PCR or RTK-Antigen tests.

       "The government has decided to make it compulsory for all travellers who will be holidaying in Langkawi starting from Sept 16 to undergo a Covid-19 test before departure.

       "This can be done at any health facility or private laboratory within 48 hours prior to the departure date.

       "Test results must be brought along for inspection at the entrance (airport or ferry terminal) prior to departure,” he had said in a statement.