Malaysia: Authorities plan to ban all nonessential inter-state and inter-district travel from May 10 /update 41

Event

Authorities plan to impose a nationwide ban on all nonessential inter-state and inter-district travel May 10-June 6 amid increasing COVID-19 activity. All social, education, and economic activities and government events involving gatherings or face-to-face interactions are also prohibited during the same period.

Additionally, officials have imposed stricter controls, termed the movement control orders (MCO), in Kuala Lumpur May 7-20. MCO is also in effect in six districts of Selangor State May 6-17. The affected localities are Gombak, Hulu Langat, Klang, Kuala Langat, Petaling, and Sepang. 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.

Other domestic COVID-19 restrictions remain in effect through at least May 17. The conditional movement control orders (CMCO), which are less strict than MCO, will remain in effect in the states of Johor, Penang, Sarawak, and Sabah, and parts of Selangor, through at least May 17. Under CMCO, most industries can operate with particular protocols, 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.

Most locations in Malaysia will continue to follow the least strict level of curbs, termed the recovery movement control orders (RMCO), through May 17. Under RMCO, most businesses can operate, though public places where social distancing rules are hard to enforce will 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.

Authorities also impose enhanced movement control orders (EMCO), the strictest level of controls, in areas with high COVID-19 activity. EMCO rules typically include stay-at-home orders and a ban on travel into and out of the affected areas. Only two people per household may 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.

Nationwide controls remain in effect indefinitely. Individuals requiring inter-state or inter-district travel for essential reasons must obtain police permits.

State governments may impose additional restrictions on top of those mandated by the central authorities. 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.

Officials are also maintaining international travel restrictions as of May 9. All foreign nationals from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, except for diplomatic officials, are barred from entering Malaysia.

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. Travelers must seek prior approval from authorities, undergo tests for COVID-19 upon arrival, and download the MySejahtera contact-tracing application. Arrivals from most countries must quarantine at designated sites for 10 days. As of May 5, officials require 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving from Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, UAE, the UK, and the US. Individuals arriving from the specified countries must undergo COVID-19 tests three days before their flights to Malaysia. Officials may include additional countries in the list at short notice. Authorities have indefinitely suspended flights from India and banned Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepalese, and Sri Lankan citizens with a Malaysian work permit from entering the country.

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 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