Malaysia shuts border checkpoint with Thailand to control COVID-19

Thailand Malaysia border

FILE PHOTO. The Straits Times/Asia News Network

BANGKOK — The Malaysian government has ordered the closure of the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint, which connects on the Thai side with the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province, from Saturday until September 25 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The information was posted on Friday by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on its Facebook page.

“Thai nationals in Malaysia who wish to return to Thailand from September 12-25 must use other checkpoints such as Betong checkpoint in Yala and Sungai Kolok checkpoint in Narathiwat,” said the announcement. “Those who have already registered to travel using the Sadao checkpoint during the said period must re-register at the immigration office or via https://dcaregistration.mfa.go.th and specify other valid checkpoints instead.”

Travelers will need to provide a fit-to-travel health certificate issued within 72 hours of travel time. The Thai embassy also advised travelers to reach the border checkpoint before noon on the travel date specified in their letter.

As of Saturday, Malaysia has reported 9,810 cases of Covid-19, of whom 9,181 people have recovered and there have been 128 deaths.

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