Malaysia: Authorities continue to implement COVID-19 restrictions nationwide as of Jan. 6 /update 62

Event

Officials continue to enforce restrictions nationwide to stem the spread of COVID-19 as of Jan. 6.

Domestic Measures
Authorities continue to implement a four-tier National Recover Plan. The government has placed Kelantan and Sarawak under Phase 3 restrictions. Social activities remain suspended and unvaccinated people can only travel within their respective state. Officials permit up to 80-percent capacity for office workers, while agricultural and commodities industries can run at full capacity. The rest of the country is under the least stringent Phase 4 controls. Social activities can occur at half the venue's capacity, and offices can operate at full capacity. Authorities also permit interstate travel in Phase-4 locations.

Local officials may impose short-term stricter Enhanced Movement Control Orders in localities with high COVID-19 activity. State governments may also impose restrictions in addition to central government mandates.

International Travel Restrictions
Malaysia bans most foreigners from entry, with exemptions for several groups, including resident diplomats, foreign spouses and dependents of Malaysian citizens, long-term pass holders, and workers in essential industries and their dependents. Travelers must undergo a COVID-19 test 72 hours or less before departure and download the MySejahtera contact-tracing application. Passengers from high-risk locations, including Australia, Botswana, Canada, Denmark, Eswatini, France, India, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UK, the US, and Zimbabwe, must undergo COVID-19 testing 48 hours or less before departure.

Fully vaccinated short and long-term business travelers may apply to enter Malaysia under the One-Stop Center (OSC) initiative. Fully vaccinated international tourists, except from high-risk locations, can enter Langkawi, Kedah State, through the Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB). The government also allows travel for fully vaccinated passengers from Singapore via a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangement. Singapore citizens and permanent residents with a Long-Term Social Visit Pass or Singaporean permanent residents can enter Malaysia for employment under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), but they must stay at least three consecutive months. Authorities require travelers under the VTL, LITB, and OSC schemes to take a PCR test within 48 hours before departure.

All entrants must undergo COVID-19 testing on arrival. Fully vaccinated travelers must quarantine for seven days at home or designated facilities, while unvaccinated people must quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities. Sabah requires entrants from high-risk international locations to quarantine for 14 days at authorized sites upon arrival. Travelers from high-risk places must wear digital tracking devices during quarantine. Travelers under the PCA are subject to a quarantine period determined by the relevant agency. Quarantine-free travel is possible under the OSC, LITB, and VTL schemes. Short-term travelers under the OSC must stay in the country 14 days or less to qualify. Travelers under the LITB must undergo daily testing and stay in Langkawi for at least three days or seven days if traveling to other parts of Malaysia. VTL ticket sales remain suspended until at least Jan. 20, but visitors who purchased tickets before the suspension can continue to travel.

The government permits foreigners to transit Malaysian airports. Unvaccinated Malaysians must still apply to travel abroad using the MyTravelPass system.

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
MySejahtera application
MyTravelPass application
One Stop Centre