KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants to follow Penang in initiating a vaccinated travel line (VTL) with Singapore to boost the tourism sector.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said a recommendation has been submitted to the state disaster management committee for Covid-19 to consider implementing the VTL route for air travel between Sabah and Singapore.
They are now waiting for the committee to give the approval, he said.
The move will help revitalise the economy and business networks between both sides especially the tourism sector, which was badly affected by the pandemic, he said.
"I am confident the tourism ministry and all tourism industry operators in Sabah are ready to welcome foreign tourists with stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant in the state," said Jafry.
Penang's Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state welcomed the extension of the Malaysia-Singapore VTL scheme starting March 16, after both governments reached an agreement.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the VTL initiative would allow fully vaccinated travellers between Penang and Singapore and vice-versa with participating airlines under the VTL without being required to undergo quarantine upon arrival.