Malaysia: Officials to implement stricter restrictions in most parts of the country from Jan. 22 /update 26

Event

Malaysian authorities will implement stricter rules, known as movement control orders (MCO), in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, and Terengganu states Jan. 22-Feb. 4 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). With the policy, officials will enforce MCO in all parts of Malaysia, except Sarawak State. MCO is currently 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, as well as in Kelantan State through Jan. 29. Additionally, Sibu Division in Sarawak State is enacting MCO through Jan. 29. Under MCO, officials urge residents 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.

Sarawak State is implementing conditional movement control order (CMCO), which is less strict than MCO, through Jan. 31. All industries can operate with health protocols in place, though some businesses like entertainment venues remain suspended. Markets, shopping centers, retail stores, and food establishments can open 0600-2200 daily. Tourist sites can operate at a maximum of half the capacity. Medical facilities can continue to operate for 24 hours daily. Authorities cap mass gatherings at 200 people. Travel to localities enforcing MCO is banned, except for people who have obtained a police permit.

Several state governments are maintaining additional statewide restrictions on top of those mandated by the central authorities. Sarawak State requires arrivals to present a negative result from a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 72 hours before entry. 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 continues to allow 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