Proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be made a requirement for interstate and foreign travel once more people are fully vaccinated, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, health director-general. He went on to say that it is still too early to apply for vaccine passports as less than 10% of Malaysians have received their two doses. “Give it two or three more months and increase the rate of vaccination. Maybe in November or December, we can achieve herd immunity,” he added.
“This has not been implemented but is being considered. There must be SOPs (standard operating procedures) for entering the mosque, and vaccine passport for interstate travel,” the Director-General said during a webinar on Islam and current affairs organised by Pertubuhan Intelektual Negara and Persatuan Ulama’ Malaysia.
The health director-general worries implementing the vaccine passport too early, while many have still not gotten their jabs, might anger people. He also highlighted that it is still too early to allow social activities including mosque activities although some congregants have already been vaccinated.
Malaysian Airlines recently announced their upcoming Digital Travel Health Pass, which will be able to store digital vaccination certificates as well as COVID-19 test results. Another Malaysian health passport, Immunitee, has already been accepted by Singapore and can be used when borders reopen.
As of 19 June, a little over 1.5 million people have been fully vaccinated, with more than 5.6 million people having already received at least one dose.
(Source: The Edge Markets. Images: Dr Noor Hisham / Twitter, Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail, Azhar Mahfof/The Star.)
