The government is considering loosening travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people, in order for them to meet and reunite with their families.

Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in a Facebook post today, said he had raised this topic during the recent National Security Council (NSC) meeting and is expecting a positive outcome.

"Based on comments I have received on social media, I see a lot of complaints from people separated from their spouses, or parents and children, due to the interstate travel restrictions.

"As a father myself, I realize the importance of family. Parents should not be separated from their children for a long period of time, even if it is for security reasons. More so when the parents have received their two doses (of COVID-19 vaccine)," Ismail, who is also senior ministry in charge of security, said.



The NSC will take into account the suggestion to loosen such restrictions for fully vaccinated people, so that separated families can reunite again, he added.

Countless families have been separated due to the restrictions in place due to the spread of COVID-19.

Although new cases of COVID-19 remains to be high on a daily basis, the rapid development of the National Immunization Programme seem to be offering some reprieve for Malaysians.

As of yesterday midnight, more than 15.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. This includes 10.5 million first doses, and 4.9 million second doses.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin recently assured that all adults in the country will be fully vaccinated by October this year - ahead of the original schedule, due to the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, and the emergency of new variants of the virus.


Photo source: Astro Awani