Malaysians working in Singapore will be allowed to return home without the need to be quarantined for 14 days, Malaysiakini reports.
However, they will have to provide a letter from the Singapore health authorities stating that they have tested negative for Covid-19.
“Following a special ministerial committee meeting on April 3, it is hereby informed that Malaysians working in Singapore and who wish to return to Malaysia during the movement control order (MCO) period are required to get a swab test in Singapore and present a letter or certificate to confirm he or she is free of Covid-19 at the entry point before being allowed to enter.
“They will not need to be quarantined if they are confirmed to be negative,” the report said, quoting a letter issued by Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud to the Johor Immigration Department.
This exception will allow thousands of Malaysians working in the republic to return home before the island-city imposes a month-long lockdown for most workplaces, except for essential services and key economic sectors, from next Tuesday.
This is part of the Singapore government’s stricter measures to minimise physical contact and keep the Covid-19 outbreak in check.
Food establishments, markets and supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, utilities, transport and key banking services will remain open.
Malaysians working in Singapore faced a dilemma as Putrajaya imposed a 14-day quarantine rule for everyone returning from abroad effective yesterday.
They will be placed in government quarantine centres during the duration.
Malaysians working in Singapore have now been given leeway on this ruling.
When Malaysia first announced the MCO on March 31, many Malaysians who travel from Johor to Singapore to work had decided to stay on the island.
The Singapore government had assisted local companies and employers in finding temporary accommodation for these workers.
However, when Malaysia extended the MCO to April 14, the Singapore government discontinued the accommodation support.
With the lockdown in Singapore now in place, many Malaysians are expected to return home.
Malaysia has recorded 3,333 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 53 deaths as of yesterday. – TMI