With immediate effect from March 10, foreign nationalities from Iran and Italy will not be allowed to enter Sabah. Bernama File Photo
KOTA KINABALU: The state government’s temporary ban on visitors to Sabah has been extended to those traveling from Iran and Italy.
State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong in a statement today said that the temporary ban to contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) would take effect immediately.
“With immediate effect from March 10, foreign nationalities from Iran and Italy will not be allowed to enter Sabah. This also applies for all foreigners (irrespective of nationalities) as well as Malaysian citizens (non-residents of Sabah) with a recent travel history to Iran and Italy within the last 14 days,” said Safar.
He also said that any Sabahan, permanent residents of Sabah, residents of Sabah with a work pass, student pass, long term social pass or any exemption order, returning from Iran and Italy are subject to a compulsory 14-day home quarantine.
“All Iran and Italy nationals who are still in Sabah are advised to depart or return before the expiry of their visa. Should the visa be expiring, only one (1) visa extension, to a maximum of seven days may be granted,” Safar stressed.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak in January, Sabah has imposed a temporary ban on visitors from China and South Korea. Iran and Italy are the latest countries added on the list.