The use of the Immigration Department’s ‘autogate’ system is suspended with immediate effect as a measure to strengthen international gateway controls following the spread of a new alarming variant, Omicron. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the move would allow immigration officials to identify the travel history of passengers whether they had ever entered the country involved with the variant. "Flights from countries that report the spread of Omicron variants or high -risk countries are only allowed to enter Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd must provide special fences for such flights," he said. Khairy said airlines were responsible for identifying travelers from the countries concerned and their information must be submitted to the KLIA Health Office to facilitate handling upon arrival. According to the minister, MOH will continue to monitor the development of the new variant at all times and if more stringent measures are needed, it will make an announcement when a decision is made. “The measures announced earlier is a step for us to tighten the country's borders are temporary until we know more about this worrying variant. "If it is found that this variant does not threaten public health in Malaysia, we will relax the restrictions," he said.
