KUCHING: With China’s 1.4 billion people potentially returning to overseas travel after a three-year ban imposed by pandemic restrictions, concern is spreading throughout Asia over the likelihood of new COVID strains and outbreaks.
However, medical experts say that banning Chinese travellers won’t stop an outbreak of COVID-19 in Malaysia or the introduction of brand-new, potentially harmful variants.
Instead, they emphasise strengthening local measures like stricter screening protocols, booster vaccinations, and more.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences public health expert Associate Professor Dr Helmy Hazmi said given the high incidence of cases in China and the fact that an estimated 50 per cent of passengers on a flight from China to Milan are positive, it makes sense to be wary of incoming Chinese visitors.
“We may need to consider opening our borders to them just as we did previously, by requiring a negative result prior to their arrival in Sarawak and random testing at our entry points.
“Or, we could also consider a ‘negative result upon arrival’ policy. In this regard, it would be wise to require visitors to purchase COVID-19-related insurance to cover medical expenses.
“The vaccine statuses should also be stringently assessed, only allowing those who have completed primary and booster doses,” he said to New Sarawak Tribune.
Despite all border health measures, he said the country should not be hesitant to restrict China travellers entry once we have cues that local cases are increasing in trend and above a warning level.
Having said that, he exhorted everyone in Sarawak, especially tourism secondary workers, to come for their booster doses.
“I urge everyone in Sarawak to come for their booster doses, which are still low despite high coverage in the primary doses. Immunity levels are likely to decline for those who have not received their booster doses.
“All workers in the tourism sector are highly encouraged to receive their booster doses, just as healthcare workers receive their influenza vaccines yearly. Tourism workers form the protection ring between the travellers and the community.
“We hope for the best; these are just some temporary steps as we transition towards COVID-19 endemic status,” said Dr Helmy.
On the same note, epidemiology and public health professor at Universiti Malaya, Prof Dr Sanjay Rampal said it is likely that these new variants would develop and circulate if there was a large wave of infections in China based on the numbers at risk.
He pointed out that the more important question is whether they would cause more severe disease.
“The current Chinese experience may be different from the rest of the world due to their prolonged use of a ‘Zero COVID’ policy.
“The likelihood of a new strain that causes more severe disease is very small and currently does not justify the increased cost associated with implementing new COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he noted.
Dr Sanjay added that it may be appropriate to consider a more rigid screening protocol.
“Travellers from China should be vaccinated prior to arrival and show proof of MySejahtera registration on arrival.
“There should be advice to immediately seek care if feeling unwell. All symptomatic travellers should be tested at entry.
“In addition, we can consider testing a sample of travellers from China and should genotype all positive cases,” he said.
Having said that, he stressed that further analysis is needed on the cost benefit of implementing various activities associated with a more rigid screening protocol.
As such, he emphasised that closing the borders is not necessary.
