ASEAN nations agree on mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates

The Malaysian Health Ministry has confirmed that ASEAN nations will recognise each other’s Covid-19 vaccination certificates, in a bid to facilitate cross-border travel. Malaysia’s Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, says the agreement was reached at a meeting of ASEAN health ministers in Bali at the weekend.

According to an Asia News Network report, he says ASEAN members have agreed to recognise each other’s Covid-19 vaccination certificates, enabling safe and smooth cross-border travel.

“The recognition will be carried out with the ASEAN universal verification mechanism or other mechanisms, which were developed based on the World Health Organisation’s technical specification. This is to ease Covid-19 vaccination certificate verification issued by each ASEAN country.”

Malaysia has praised Indonesia for taking the lead in developing the ASEAN universal verification mechanism, which will also support those member states who have yet to develop a verification system for Covid-19 vaccination.

“It is important to ease the re-opening of borders and expedite the recovery process of ASEAN from Covid-19.”

Malaysia is also backing the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases, which aims to strengthen the region’s capacity in preventing, detecting, and responding to public health emergencies.

The Malaysian health minister adds that his country will use the ASEAN healthcare platform to increase capacity in genome sequencing and for the exchange of information with member states.

“It is hoped that this initiative will steer ASEAN in the recovery from Covid-19.”

SOURCE: Asia News Network

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If you want to travel to Thailand, apply for the Thailand Pass with the 24-hour service and obtain Covid Insurance (including free SIM cards).

Note: Unvaccinated travellers require a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before travelling.

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