Malaysia: Foreign travellers to bear COVID-19 screening cost

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), June 29 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Beginning today, Malaysians and foreigners entering the country will have to bear the cost of COVID-19 tests which are conducted upon their arrival, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said, however, three categories of individuals including differently-abled people (OKU) carrying the OKU card issued by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) would be exempted from paying.

The other two categories which need not pay for the tests are government officers returning from official duty and students coming back for the first time, with proof of their studies, he added.

“Anyone in these three categories who have paid for their screening before this decision on fee waiver was made can claim for a refund from the Health Ministry (MOH),” he told a press conference here Monday.

It was reported that the COVID-19 tests for returning Malaysians cost between US$7 (RM30) and US$35 (RM150) each while the charge for foreigners is between US$14 (RM60) and US$58.33 (RM250).