‘Imposing journey ban not efficient in the long run’

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PETALING JAYA: Imposing a journey ban on nations which have detected the presence of the Covid-19 Omicron variant is ineffective and ought to be changed by strengthening public well being measures, together with longer quarantines and RT-PCR testing, say well being consultants.

Worldwide Islamic College Malaysia public well being medication specialist Asst Prof Dr Mohammad Farhan Rusli mentioned journey restrictions have been only a stopgap measure.

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“For all we all know, the Omicron could already be in Malaysia, simply that now we have not carried out sufficient genomic sequencing to find out that.

“Imposing journey bans function a fast approach of controlling the unfold however are economically ineffective,” he mentioned when contacted yesterday.

Yesterday, the federal government added Malawi to the listing of nations on non permanent journey restrictions as of Dec 1.

Different nations at the moment on the restricted journey listing are South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Dr Mohammad Farhan mentioned he felt that primary public well being measures, together with testing, tracing and isolation, have been wanted as a substitute.

“Attributable to globalisation many from these nations are sure to cross paths, maybe throughout flight transits. Similar to the Delta variant, we’d like to ensure our public well being response and capability are prepared if a surge happens,” he mentioned.

Universiti Malaya Division of Social and Preventive Drugs College of Drugs Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming mentioned imposing an extended quarantine interval of not less than 14 days with repeated RT-PCR testing can be a extra acceptable response in contrast with a blanket ban.

“We should always impose quarantine measures on residents coming in from these nations as a substitute,” she mentioned.

Medical Practitioners Coalition Affiliation of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah mentioned a long-term mitigation plan was wanted, as extra such circumstances with new variants and mutations have been more likely to come up sooner or later.

“We can’t be imposing such restrictions each time. There have to be a long-term plan as to how we’re going to sort out this,” he mentioned.

Nonetheless, as not a lot is thought concerning the Omicron variant, Universiti Putra Malaysia medical epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman mentioned she believed the federal government was appropriate in imposing a journey ban on some nations.

“Because the precise scientific and epidemiology affect of Omicron shouldn’t be but recognized, the federal government is making the precise transfer. It’s a safer selection in stopping a possible new wave of an infection,” she mentioned.



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