GEORGE TOWN: Only those who have been fully vaccinated, including those from states under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), will be allowed to visit Langkawi, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
However, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said those who come from enhanced movement control order (MCO) areas would not be entitled to the pioneer travel bubble project relaxation, which starts on Sept 16.
“Local tourists have options to visit Langkawi – either via flight or land routes.
“Those who are travelling by road to visit Langkawi must use the services of a tourist agency, or at least use transportation services from the start of their journey to the Langkawi ferry jetty.
“However, those who travel by air or come from Kedah and Perlis are not required to use the services of travel agencies,” she said during a virtual press conference on Thursday (Sept 9).
Nancy said visitors should also show proof of purchase of tourism products such as ferry tickets or hotel receipts when applying for police permission to travel.
She said the types of vacations allowed in the travel bubble project are a day visit, overnight stay, vacation with accommodation booking made in advance and travel packages through a travel company licensed and registered with the ministry.
She said the number of passengers per vehicle allowed while travelling to Langkawi was subject to the vehicle capacity.
She said among the tourism activities allowed are staying at hotels and homestays, including the usage of facilities such as surau, swimming pools, gymnasium, lounge, hall and business events.
She said beach activities, water sports, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing tours, edutainment centres, recreation parks, extreme/adventure/nature parks, farms, aquariums, zoos and other leisure, recreational and social activities would also be allowed.
“They will also be allowed to play golf, cycle, angling, yachting and others while vacationing on the island,” she said, adding that geo-travel activities such as bird watching, caving, hiking and jungle trekking were also allowed.
She said there was no age limit to visit Langkawi but those below 18 must travel with their parents who are fully vaccinated.
She added that insurance coverage and Covid-19 screening is not compulsory.
