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Malaysia will keep tourists out until next year
Malaysia has effectively shut out international tourism until 2021.
The country’s recovery movement control order will be extended to 31 December.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the MCO extension will allow the government to quickly deal with any localised outbreaks.
Since June most businesses have reopened and can operate if they implement certain health and social distancing protocols.
Bars and other entertainment venues remain closed.
Sporting events are permitted but without international competitors and must take place behind closed doors with no fans.
"Tourists are still not allowed to enter the country to avoid import cases," Muhyiddin said.
"We cannot risk taking this super-spreading virus lightly in the country. Therefore, stricter quarantine rules at certain locations will continue to be enforced."
Borders will mostly remain closed although there is some easing for certain travel to and from neighbouring Singapore.
The government is taking no chances even though the tourism industry has taken a battering.
"For now, Malaysia is not ready to open our borders to foreign tourists. Even between Malaysia and Singapore, we only allow people from two categories including our citizens who had been stranded in Singapore," senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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