PUTRAJAYA: A new protocol on isolation for close contacts of Covid-19-positive patients will be announced next week, which may see those who tested negative not needing to undergo isolation.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said a standard operating procedure on this matter had been issued to healthcare workers under the ministry.

       He said the circular stated that close contacts with no symptoms need not undergo quarantine but would be tested on certain days.

       He hinted the same protocol might be applied to the public.

       “We may apply the same protocol for the public,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

       He noted that under current circumstances, there are too many incidents of close contact, which prompted the authorities to relook the SOP.

       “When many people become close contacts to a positive case and have to undergo quarantine, it will disrupt work processes and ultimately the economy will be affected,” Khairy said.

       Under current protocol, close contacts who have been fully vaccinated and have received booster shots will undergo quarantine for five days.

       Those who have been fully vaccinated but have yet to get booster shots will be quarantined for seven days, while the unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated will be isolated for 10 days.

       Khairy said health authorities had taken pre-emptive measures and had brought Covid-19 patients with health issues and comorbidities to hospitals despite them being under Categories One and Two.

       “Pre-emptive measures are taken to ensure these people are monitored closely for their health. Because of this, we see the percentage of hospitalisation increase by 42% over the last seven days,” he said.

       Khairy said Covid-19 patients whose homes are unsuitable for self-quarantine would also be warded.

       On the upcoming Johor election, health authorities want more adults in the state to get their booster shots before polling is held with emphasis given to districts with the lowest percentage of boosters administered.

       The two districts recording the lowest booster shot percentage are Mersing at 35% and Pontian at 39%.

       “I guess Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan will have to work a little harder,” Khairy quipped.

       Ahmad is the Pontian MP.

       To-date, about 80% of Johor’s population aged 12 years and above have been fully vaccinated, while 63.2% of the adult population had received their booster shots.

       Nomination day for the state election is Feb 26 with polling on March 12.