The quarantine period for overseas travellers has been shortened to 10 days from 14, starting yesterday (Dec 14).
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the decision to shorten the quarantine period was based on the latest scientific evidence and practices in other countries.
Dr Noor Hisham said several countries have reviewed their mandatory quarantine periods and have shortened them from the initial 14 days.
He said Britain, Germany and Belgium have shortened the quarantine period to 10 days, while in France, the quarantine period lasts only seven days.
"The Latest clinical scientific evidence show that the risk of post-quarantine infections reduces in accordance with the length of the quarantine period " added Dr Noor Hisham.
Previously, the 14-day quarantine period was recommended after the World Health Organization and other experts estimated that the incubation period for Covid-19 is between two and 14 days.