Malaysia: Officials tighten entry rules for several African countries as of Nov. 28 due to new COVID-19 variant /update 60

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Malaysia has tightened entry rules for several African countries as of Nov. 28 due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Authorities have banned foreigners with travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in the previous 14 days from entering the country until further notice. Citizens and permanent residents can still enter but must serve a mandatory two-week quarantine at government-designated facilities. Authorities have also prohibited all citizens from traveling to the affected locations. Officials may amend the restrictions on short notice in the coming weeks as new cases of the COVID-19 variant emerge in other countries.

Travel Restrictions
Most other 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 a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and download the MySejahtera contact-tracing application. Fully vaccinated travelers must quarantine for seven days at home or designated facilities. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities. All travelers must undergo COVID-19 tests 72 hours before their flight to Malaysia. Approved business travelers staying in Malaysia for 14 days or less may be exempt from quarantine requirements. Foreigners may transit Malaysian airports as long as they do not pass through immigration points.

Fully vaccinated Malaysians traveling overseas do not need to apply for the MyTravelPass (MTP) scheme. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must still apply for an MTP. Additionally, individuals visiting other states in Malaysia will not need to apply for police permission. The new measures also apply to children of fully vaccinated citizens. However, domestic travelers cannot visit areas under the stricter Enhanced Movement Control Orders (EMCO). Individuals may apply for a MTP to enter or exit the country by clicking here.

Labuan, Sabah, and Sarawak may have additional requirements in place. Sarawak requires all persons to apply via "enterSarawak" before traveling to the state; exemptions are in place for Sarawakians and individuals with a work permit, among others. All arrivals must present an eHealth Declaration form before departure must present evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination. Foreign travelers must present an additional negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure and quarantine for seven days if fully vaccinated. Further details on Sarawak's entry and requirements, as well as restrictions, can be found at the State Disaster Management Committee website by clicking here. Sabah allows fully vaccinated Malaysians to enter the state for social visits as of Nov. 3; certain foreigners may enter if they are essential workers, permanent residents, or hold a Long-Term Immigration Malaysia Pass, among others. Sabah requires travelers entering the state to present a negative result from an RT-PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours before entry and complete an e-Health declaration form at the following link. Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantine and COVID-19 tests upon arrival in Sabah; international passengers must quarantine for seven days at dedicated quarantine facilities upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur. Separately, Labuan requires overseas travelers to present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure and undergo a 7-day quarantine at dedicated quarantine facilities upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur if fully vaccinated. Alternatively, passengers may also apply for home quarantine and continue their journey to the destination airport.

Malaysia has suspended the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), which allows limited short-term cross-border travel with Singapore for business and official purposes, since May 13. Authorities require travelers under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), which allows travelers to make multiple-entry visits to and from Singapore through land border crossings at Woodlands or Tuas for 90-day stays, to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated facilities; fully vaccinated Malaysians may serve their quarantine at their residence. Individuals who test negative may be exempt from the remainder of the quarantine. Short-term business travelers under the One-Stop Center (OSC) Initiative with permission from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are exempt from domestic movement controls between districts and states. Fully vaccinated individuals may travel to Malaysia from Singapore without quarantine under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from Nov. 29; only citizens, permanent residents, or long-term pass holders may travel under the first phase of the VTL scheme.

Domestic Restrictions
The government classifies states into four phases under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in order of decreasingly strict controls. All states are currently under phase 4 measures, except for Kelantan and Sarawak, which are under Phase 3. Details on the respective measures are available on the MyGovernment website by clicking here. The phases as of Nov. 28 are as follows:

• Phase 3: Locations include Kelantan and Sarawak states. Interstate travel is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals and accompanying children below 18 years old. Up to three unvaccinated individuals from each household can leave their residence to purchase essential items or for medical reasons or emergencies. Public transport may operate at full capacity. Government agencies may operate at 80 percent capacity, and government events can occur at 50 percent capacity. Most economic sectors can operate. Sectors like manufacturing, construction, and mining may work on-site at varying capacities depending on vaccination rates. Other private sector offices may operate with 80 percent of workers on-site; companies may operate on-site at full capacity if at least 80 percent of workers are fully vaccinated. MICE events may occur at 50 percent capacity; individuals must be fully vaccinated and take a pre-event rapid antigen test. Food establishments can offer dine-in services for fully vaccinated persons with health protocols in place. Entertainment venues like nightclubs and pubs, as well as social activities like weddings, are prohibited.

• Phase 4: All other states are under this phase. Interstate travel is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals and accompanying children below 18 years old. All economic sectors can operate at full capacity with health protocols in place. Social activities like festive celebrations and weddings may take place at 50 percent capacity for fully vaccinated guests. Fully vaccinated individuals may also attend seminars and meetings. Government events can take place at full capacity. Entertainment venues like nightclubs and pubs remain prohibited.

Authorities may impose stricter protocols, like EMCO, in specific localities with high COVID-19 activity; measures are usually in place for 14 days, with possible extensions. State governments may also impose additional restrictions in addition to those mandated by the central authorities.

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