On 9 September, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture officially declared that Langkawi would be reopened to fully vaccinated local tourists starting from 16 September 2021, as part of a pilot project. While dependents under the age of 18 years who have not obtained their vaccination must be accompanied by their parents or guardians when entering Langkawi. Many families were already making plans on vacations during the upcoming holidays, but they were worried about their unvaccinated kids. There is still no sign of when the vaccines will be available to children under the age of 12. Furthermore, with the Delta variant, which is more transmissible than the previous coronavirus strain, the situation has become more alarming. Travelling is not completely safe, but the best thing to do is to make sure all adults in the family get vaccinated. Vaccinated individuals are less likely to spread the virus if infected.
There are several steps you can take to lower the risk of COVID-19 infections to your kids and others who are more vulnerable:
Individuals You Meet While Travelling
- Avoid crowds
- Maintain a physical distance of at least 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from people.
- Limit the interactions with outsiders.
- Wear good quality masks properly
- If there is any contact, wash or sanitize your hands after.
Transportation
- Reduce the number of stopovers during the journey.
- If you’re taking a public transport, be sure to bring hand sanitizer and use it after touching the common surface. A physical distance of 2 meters must be maintained all the time.
Accommodations
- Check the hotel’s website to see what precautions they are taking to keep their guests safe.
- Disinfect the frequently touched surfaces in your room upon arrival.
- Stay in a room with your family members only, no outsiders are allowed to enter.
- If possible, avoid using the common area or facilities provided.
Food
- It is recommended to bring your own food and drinks.
- Using drive-thru, delivery or takeout services.
- Avoid dine-in if possible. But if you prefer to dine-in, choose a well-ventilated restaurant, where social distancing is possible, and restaurant staff wear masks.
