Tourism industry players should adapt themselves to the new normal in the effort to rehabilitate the tourism industry which was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic apart from ensuring the safety and health of tourists.

Following this, the Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) is forging a collaboration with TRI G Technologies Sdn Bhd to promote COVID-19 screening among tourists and tourism industry players today.

Tourism Malaysia Domestic and Events Division senior director Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar said the move would further enhance the confidence of local tourists to have their holidays in the country without doubts about safety.

"Tourists should be assured that we are a safe country to visit, for example if we have 23 million people and 15 million were to tour locally, that will contribute a lot to our country. We need to build up the confidence of the people, to have holiday safely in Malaysia.

"This is a good effort as our preparedness to receive domestic tourists by giving the assurance that we comply with the SOP while taking safety and health measures as well, he said.

He was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia Tourism Council and Tri G Technologies Sdn Bhd, today.

He said through the collaboration, tourists and about 3.5 tourism sector workers would be given easy access to 3,500 clinics and laboratories accredited by the Health Ministry.

In this regard, TRI G Technologies Sdn Bhd managing director, Nor Halim Ahmad said the test is supported by a 'E-Certificate' system under the Tracvirus.com application for quick confirmation.

"It is an online system to provide COVID-19 tests as well as to track lab results and generate e-certificate for COVID-19 test while keeping historical lab test result. There are two types of tests, the swab test and Antibody Rapid Test," he said.

-- BERNAMA