KUALA LUMPUR: As more countries begin to reopen their borders, Malaysia's efforts in the recovery process for the international tourism sector remains unseen.
To date, the government has yet to make any concrete decision on the matter despite earlier announcing that the country was likely to fully reopen its international borders in January.
Meanwhile, neighbouring countries such as Thailand and the Philippines have allowed foreign tourists to return starting this month, in a bid to create opportunities for tourism players to recoup their losses due the Covid-19 pandemic.
CNN Travel recently reported that the Philippines would also grant entry to visitors who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 from Feb 10, in an effort to boost the tourism sector.
Checks online showed that countries have their own set of entry criteria for travellers, based on their vaccination status.
Most of them allowed entry for fully vaccinated travellers, with additional requirements such as pre-arrival Covid-19 tests. They also made it a requirement for unvaccinated individuals to be quarantined upon arrival and undergo periodic tests.
For Canada, travellers who are not fully vaccinated are required to undergo quarantine, periodic tests (pre-arrival, upon arrival and on day 8). Unvaccinated travellers are also required to submit their travel, contact and quarantine information.
In Italy, travellers are not required to undergo quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated, have recovered from Covid-19, or with a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to entering the country.
Meanwhile, all travellers entering Turkey must show proof of one of either having been fully vaccinated, recently recovered from Covid-19 or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Vaccinated travellers, however, do not need a PCR test.