Not only was the country celebrating Malaysia Day, Malaysians were finally allowed to travel to Pulau Langkawi under the government's special travel bubble programme.
However, for five tourists, their holiday didn't get off to a good start at all.
Virus detected through screening
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah revealed that five domestic tourists tested positive for COVID-19 before they set foot in Pulau Langkawi on Thursday, New Straits Times reported.According to the report, the five tourists were screened before entering the tourist island.
The tourists, who were asymptomatic, were found to be COVID-19 positive through the rapid test kit antigen (RTK-Ag).
"These five cases detected are of Category 1 which do not show symptoms. They have been issued with the Home Surveillance Order and have to be isolated for 10 days," Dr Noor Hisham was quoted as saying.
On the very first day that Langkawi reopened to tourists under the pilot travel bubble programme, the authorities reportedly screened 2,546 people at the air and sea entry points into the island.
Dr Noor Hisham said 1,296 people were screened at the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal, while 1,250 others were screened at four airport entries.
We do hope that no other tourists test positive for the virus while they are there. If you're currently reading this article in Langkawi, always remain vigilant and please stay safe, OK?