KUALA LUMPUR: The government is confident the country's transition into endemicity will proceed as planned and will be one-way, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said just like other countries Malaysia, too, was hoping for the transition to be a one-way, without having to turn back.
"However, as the Health Ministry, adopts safe infectious disease control policies and cares for public health, we must be prepared for any possibility.
"One of things, I have advised Cabinet is should there be the emergence of new variants, more violent than Omicron, not only Malaysia but other countries must also review their re-opening protocols," he told a press conference.
Khairy was asked if the transition to endemicity will be withdrawn should there be an increase in cases.
He said based on existing information, data and surveillance, the government was confident that the transition will be one-way.
"But at the Health Ministry, we cannot rule out the possibility of new variants or changes in the epidemiological nature of this virus.
"For example, if we reach the level where our health system is paralysed, we will recommend certain measures to the government.
"So far, we believe that this transition can proceed as planned and we will continue to step up our surveillance.
"In fact, it is being monitored closely by the National Institute of Health," he said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Malaysia will transition into endemicity on April 1.
The premier said it was important to note that transitioning into endemicity was an exit strategy to enable Malaysia to return to normalcy after two years of battling Covid-19