ALOR SETAR: A tourism association in Langkawi suggests that the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) should be used on Langkawi inbound travellers due to its higher accuracy results.
Langkawi Tourism Association chief executive officer Zainuddin Kadir said the move was necessary to prevent the emergence of Covid-19 cluster at the island.
"As tourism players in Langkawi, we are urging the government to immediately make the RT-PCR as the prerequisite Covid-19 screening method because of its higher accuracy results over the Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-Antigen).
"There are between 13 and 14 flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi daily and with this high number of inbound travellers, it is understandable that many would opt for the RTK-Antigen swab test. But, we are worried over its accuracy," he said when contacted.
Generally, RT-PCR swab test has a higher accuracy in detecting Covid-19 compared to the RTK-Antigen swab test and is considered the standard for Covid-19 diagnosis. However, RTK-Antigen test is preferred as it generates quicker Covid-19 tests, besides being cheaper.
The Langkawi island was reopened to visitors on Sept 16 for those who had completed two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination, under the country's travel bubble pilot project which required all visitors to undergo Covid-19 screening prior theirf departure to the island.
On Monday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah revealed that 149 Covid-19 cases were detected via screenings of visitors to Langkawi since Sept 16, adding that those tested positive were among 40,458 travellers screened at seven airports and two ferry terminals.
Zainuddin was concerned over the impact of not making RT-PCR swab test mandatory including seeing the cancellation of all bookings in October if there were emergence of new clusters involving visitors in Langkawi.
"This will put a major dent on our target to draw 250,000 visitors to Langkawi by end of this December, which will adversely impact the industry players and the people on the island," he said.
In June, Zainuddin was reported as saying that seven hotel operators under the association went belly up after suffering a combined losses of RM25 million during the nationwide lockdown.
In August, the Tourism Ministry (MOTAC) said Malaysia tourism industry suffered a whopping RM45 billions of losses since the Covid-19 outbreak in March last year.
Meanwhile, tourism players in Langkawi said they would accommodate any request for postponement by those tested positive for Covid-19 prior to their travelling to the island.
Kedah/Perlis chapter of Malaysia Hoteliers Association vice chairman Razmi Rahmat urged the visitors concerned to contact their travel agent or hoteliers to reschedule their visit.
"All our members will duly consider any request for arrival dates to be rescheduled involving those tested positive," he said.
Similar arrangement could be made for those who had made bookings with the Langkawi's Jetty Point Car Rental Operators Association.
"Yes, all our members have agreed to accept reschedule request by visitors who could not travel after being tested positive for Covid-19," said its chairman Rosli Ahmad.
On the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) outlined by the National Security Council (NSC) and MOTAC for the travel bubble pilot project, Razmi and Rosli agreed the SOP should be retained.
Both the associations also welcomed suggestions to open Langkawi for foreign tourists by this November.
"We are fully ready to welcome the tourists. We are just waiting for NSC's and MOTAC's announcements on the SOP," Razmi said.
Langkawi Homestay Operators chairman Mohtar Shabudin Ismail said the revival of the tourism sector would a lifeline for 105 of its members operating in five villagers,
"Aside from the domestic visitors, (foreign) many of our guests were who stay here for an extended period. We are eager to welcome them back," he said.
Kedah Tourism committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said 38,748 visitors had arrived in Langkawi, generating nearly RM16 million worth of tourism receipts between Sept 16 and Sept 30.
"As of Wednesday, visitors arrival to Langkawi was recorded at 53,130 people and we are expecting another 50,000 visitors throughout October.
Firdaus also welcomed suggestions to reopen Langkawi for international tourists.
"We support the idea, especially tourists from the Covid-19 Green Zone nations and I have been informed that Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri will be coming over for the Singapore-Langkawi flight pilot project," he said.