Malaysia: Authorities require holders of expired social visit passes to exit the country by April 21 /update 35

Event

Authorities in Malaysia require holders of expired social visit passes to leave the country by April 21. Affected foreigners who are unable to depart can apply for special passes to remain in Malaysia. Officials require such individuals to obtain supporting documents from their embassies, as well as proof of residential address and financial means to remain in Malaysia.

Most of the existing domestic COVID-19 restrictions are in place through at least April 28. Most nonessential interstate travel remains suspended nationwide. Strict protocols known as "conditional movement control orders" (CMCO) will remain in effect in Kuala Lumpur and the states of Johor, Kelantan, Penang, and Selangor through at least April 28. CMCOs will also stay in force in Sarawak through at least April 26. Under CMCOs, most industries can operate with particular protocols in place, though some businesses such as entertainment venues must remain closed. Markets, shopping centers, retail stores, and food establishments can open 06:00-23:59 daily. Social gatherings, meetings, workshops, and seminars can occur with up to half the venue's capacity. Areas under CMCOs typically allow interdistrict movement.

Most locations in Malaysia continue to enact the less strict "recovery movement control orders" (RMCO) through April 28. Under RMCOs, most businesses can operate, though public places where social distancing rules are hard to enforce remain closed. Public transport can operate provided service providers ensure compliance with certain mandates intended to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as requiring passengers to undergo temperature checks and wear facemasks. The use of facemasks remains compulsory in crowded public places; authorities urge residents to wear facemasks in all public spaces to the extent possible. Mass gatherings can occur, though they are limited to 500 people with all attendees wearing protective facemasks.

Authorities also impose "enhanced movement control orders" (EMCO), the strictest level of controls, in some locations with high COVID-19 activity. EMCO orders remain in effect in parts of Sabah State's Tawau through April 25, and in Kampung Meruntum through April 26. Under EMCOs, 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. Most nonessential businesses are closed, and employees are required to work from home to the extent possible. EMCO rules typically include stay-at-home orders and a ban on travel into and out of the affected areas.

State governments may impose additional restrictions on top of those mandated by the central authorities. Nonessential interdistrict travel is suspended in Sarawak and Sabah. Sarawak requires all persons arriving in the state, including those from other parts of Malaysia, 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 enact or reintroduce restrictions 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 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 maritime vessel crew members.

Malaysia may allow limited cross-border travel with Singapore for business and official purposes. Under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) scheme, individuals may make short trips from Singapore and be exempt from standard quarantine requirements for arrivals. Such 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. They must also comply with a controlled itinerary for the first 14 days and adhere to contact tracing measures. Additionally, the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) allows travelers to make multiple-entry visits through land border crossings at Woodlands or Tuas for 90-day stays; however, persons traveling under the PCA must isolate at government-designated facilities for at least one week. Travelers can leave the quarantine sites upon testing negative for COVID-19.

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.

Resources

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