Malaysia: Officials continue to adjust restrictions in parts of the country as of Jan. 15 /update 25

Event

Malaysian authorities continue to adjust restrictions in parts of the country to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Jan. 15. Officials will implement stricter rules, known as movement control orders (MCO), in Sarawak State's Sibu Division Jan. 16-29 due to a significant increase in cases in the locality. MCO is also in place in the states of Johor, Malacca, Penang, Sabah, and Selangor, along with the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya through Jan. 26. Under MCO, residents are urged to stay at home, with only two people per household authorized to leave their residences to buy essential goods. Residents must not travel more than 10 km (6 miles) from their homes. Nonessential inter-state and inter-district travel is banned. Only two people are allowed in each personal vehicle. Most nonessential businesses are closed and employees are required to work from home to the extent possible. Restaurants are closed for on-premises dining and social gatherings are banned. Authorities may expand or extend the controls at short notice.

Less severe controls known as conditional movement control orders (CMCO) are in place in Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, and Terengganu states and other localities through Jan. 26. The other localities include Kuching and Miri in Sarawak State. While measures differ by locality, typical CMCO restrictions include the suspension of or limits on religious, cultural, recreational, and sporting activities. Several categories of nonessential businesses are closed under CMCO rules.

The recovery movement control order (RMCO), which is the least stringent set of protocols, remains in effect in Perlis and Sarawak states through March 31. Under RMCO, most businesses can operate. However, public places where social distancing rules are hard to enforce, like nightclubs, remain closed. Sporting events can occur, provided that organizers observe health protocols. Public transport can operate with certain restrictions in place.

Several state governments are maintaining additional statewide restrictions on top of those mandated by the central authorities. Sarawak State is requiring arrivals to present a negative result from a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 72 hours before entry. Some states may require businesses, such as hair salons and night markets, to remain closed. Other curbs include limiting business operation hours, though exemptions are likely for essential services. Central or state authorities may implement or reintroduce restrictions in the coming weeks if COVID-19 cases increase.

Travel Restrictions
Most foreigners remain banned from entering Malaysia; exemptions are in place for resident diplomats, foreign spouses and dependents of Malaysian citizens, long-term pass holders, and expatriate employees working in essential industries and their dependents, among others. Travelers must seek advance approval from authorities, undergo tests for COVID-19 upon arrival, and download the MySejahtera contact tracing application. Arrivals must quarantine at designated sites for 10 days. Foreigners may transit at Malaysian airports as long as they do not pass through immigration points. Malaysian nationals remain banned from traveling abroad, with limited exceptions.

Sabah State bans entry for travelers, including long-term pass holders, from several countries. Exceptions are in place for diplomats and their dependents, workers in the oil and gas industry, and vessel crew. The affected countries include Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Sabah allows entry for visitors from Brunei for any purposes, provided these travelers test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before travel and arrive by air or land.

Malaysia allows limited cross-border travel with Singapore for business and official purposes. Under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) scheme, people can travel short-term from Singapore to Malaysia with an exemption from standard quarantine requirements for arrivals. The travelers must present approval letters from immigration authorities and a company or government agency in Malaysia, obtain visas if required, and test for COVID-19 within 72 hours before travel and upon arrival. Such travelers must comply with a controlled itinerary for the first 14 days and adhere to contact tracing measures. Additionally, in the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) scheme for long-term work visa holders, only people traveling to Johor State can quarantine at their residence or accommodations for seven days upon arrival, while those going to other Malaysian states must isolate at government-designated facilities for a week. Travelers can leave the quarantine sites upon testing negative for COVID-19. The PCA program allows the travelers to undertake multiple-entry visits through land border crossings at Woodlands or Tuas for 90-day stays once their applications are approved. Travelers are eligible for a home leave of two to four weeks after every minimum stay of 90 days in the country where they work.

Advice

Follow all official health and safety measures. Ensure contingency plans account for additional disruptive controls or further extensions of current restrictions. Postpone travel if affected by travel restrictions. Confirm flight status before checking out of accommodation and departing for the airport. Follow all official instructions, particularly if traveling from affected locations. Allow additional time for immigration and health screenings at all ports of entry. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Prime Minister's Office
Immigration Department of Malaysia
World Health Organization (WHO)
MySejahtera application