Malaysians may be able to travel interstate in a matter of few days, as the country approaches the COVID-19 vaccination target set by the government.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he understood the feelings of people who wanted to return to their hometowns to visit their aged parents, but could not do so due to the current restrictions in place.

"Some have not seen their parents for more than a year, some parents are not healthy. My late mother, if I didn't come back every week or two weeks once, she would cry when I phoned her.

"Many I believe, are in the situation like I faced before. We understand but because of the pandemic, we have to restrict our movements, but I have said we will not restrict the movement of the people forever," Bernama quoted Ismail saying in an exclusive interview aired on local television stations last night.

He reiterated that the government would lift interstate travel restrictions as soon as the vaccination rate reaches 90 per cent for adults.

Ismail recently said that Malaysians may also be able to travel abroad from December, or possibly sooner, when the vaccination rate reaches 90 per cent.

As of yesterday, 87.6 per cent of the country's adults have been fully vaccinated.

The country's COVID-19 infection and death tally currently stands at at 2.27 million, and 26,683, respectively.

Globally, more than 235 million people have been infected with COVID-19, and over 4.81 million have died from it.


Source: Bernama
Photo source: Astro Awani