With certain security conditions in line with its efforts to open up more economic sectors, the government should gradually reopen its doors for business travelers from regional trade partners, especially ASEAN, China, and the Belt and Road Countries.

Datuk Seri Chuah Poh Khiang, President of the Belt and Road Association of Malaysia, said that the reactivation of the country's foreign trade and investment by business travelers fulfilling the safeguards was crucial as the domestic economy slows.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Malaysia and some countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam has stabilized, and more comprehensive safety measures were put in place by the government, it is time to consider restoring cross-border trade and investment by phases,” he said in a statement.

However, while the entry of foreigners into numerous countries was still prohibited, some countries with better pandemic control gradually improved their rules, for example, the relaxation by Thailand of the permit for foreigners to enter the country on their permit to work.

Chuah said that the government could reopen its borders and prioritize business travelers from countries and regions designated as 'green zones' by enforcing standard operating procedures ( SOPs) and strict conditions of security.