THE Immigration Department will come up with new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for entry of foreigners after the movement control order (MCO) ends in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the SOPs will be brought to the Home Ministry for adoption.

He said the SOPs were still being studied based on experiences acquired during the pandemic, which has swept the world since December last year.

“Take the example of Taiwan, which has, until now, only recorded just more than 400 cases and a low death rate.

“What they (Taiwan) did was shut their doors to foreigners and implement immediate social distancing measures once Covid-19 cases were reported in December last year,” he said in Putrajaya today.

Khairul Dzaimee said the conditions for foreigners seeking entry into Malaysia would be tightened at all entry points even after the MCO ends, even if they do not show any Covid-19 symptoms.

“Currently (during the MCO), all foreigners have been barred entry except for ambassadors, foreign representatives and permanent residents,” he said.

Meanwhile, as Immigration offices and counters are closed, he said the people can still contact them for information and inquiries.

“The public can contact the department at the National Security Council (NSC) hotline MyGCC at 03-88882010 and 03-80008000,” he said.

Khairul Dzaimee said the call centre was being coordinated by the NSC in collaboration with other government agencies.

“Immigration officers are on duty 24 hours in three shifts at the call centre to answer questions related to immigration during the MCO,” he said. – Bernama, April 22, 2020.