Sabah eases travel restrictions

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is easing travel restrictions with immediate effect until March 4.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said individuals who are now allowed to enter the state are those from Sabah; spouses of Sabahans and dependents; and long-term pass holders issued by the Sabah Immigration Department, which are still valid involving Malaysians and non-Malaysians under essential services.

"All individuals entering Sabah through air, sea and land entry points have to undergo Covid-19 RT-PCR or RTK-Ag test within one to three days before travel.

"Only those without symptoms and with negative test results will be permitted to travel here," he said in a statement yesterday.

For travel out of Sabah, Masidi said those allowed to leave are individuals involved in essential services, emergency cases and medical matters, with the permission of the police.

They are also required to undertake the RT-PCR or RTK-Ag test within three days before leaving Sabah for the peninsula.

"For those allowed to travel from Sabah to Sarawak, they are required to take the RT-PCR test three days before leaving Sabah.

"Individuals from Sabah travelling to Labuan need to undergo either of the tests within three days before entering Labuan," Masidi added.

Only those without symptoms and negative test results will be allowed to go ahead with their journey, he added.

On movements at sea, Masidi said the activities of boats from islands in Sabah going to the mainland, including boats at coastal areas, are only allowed from 6am to 2pm with a 50% capacity.

"Movement of fishing boats under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) that are registered under the Fisheries Department are allowed from 6am until 6pm (in permitted jetties).

"This permission is subject to the permit issued by the respective district police chief," he added.