Health ministry says temperature checks no longer compulsory

The health ministry has agreed that temperature checks at premises will no longer be compulsory under the SOPs for Covid-19 prevention, minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

Speaking at a press conference in the Parliament building, he said the issue would be brought to a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

“But the health ministry has agreed that the requirement for temperature checks be removed from the SOPs,” he said.

“After the SOPs are amended at the quartet meeting to come, it will no longer be compulsory for temperature checks at premises.

“This means it will only be necessary to scan MySejahtera. No more temperature checks.”

Khairy also said that the quarantine period for foreigners would be fixed at five days for those who have received Covid-19 vaccine booster shots.

Those who have had their primary jabs will be quarantined for seven days while those who are not vaccinated must undergo a 10-day quarantine period.

In terms of vaccinating children aged five to 12, Khairy said the health ministry is aiming to administer a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to 70% of those in this age bracket within the first two months.

He said registration for vaccination would be opened at the end of the month.

“For now, parents can begin registering their children as their dependents in MySejahtera,” he added.

“Bookings for the vaccination of children aged five to 12 will be opened in stages from Jan 31, beginning with parents residing in the Klang Valley.”

The administration of jabs meanwhile will begin in February, as soon as supplies of the Pfizer vaccine for children arrive in the country on Jan 31.