Malaysia: Authorities to allow quarantine-free travel to and from Cambodia and Thailand from March 15 /update 65

Event

Malaysian authorities have agreed to air Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) with Cambodia and Thailand that will allow fully vaccinated airline passengers between those countries and Malaysia. Effective March 15, travelers from the mentioned nations may enter Malaysia without needing to quarantine, and vice versa. Designated airlines will provide limited flights between airports in the respective countries.

Domestic Measures
All states and federal territories, including Kelantan and Sarawak, are under the least stringent Phase 4 controls in the four-tier National Recovery Plan as of March 9. In Phase 4, social activities can occur at half the venue's capacity, while offices can operate at full capacity. Schools can conduct on-site activities with protocols; only vaccinated students can attend activities on-site at tertiary education institutions. Night entertainment venues remain closed. Interstate travel is permitted.

Local officials may impose short-term stricter controls in localities with high COVID-19 activity. State governments may also impose restrictions in addition to central government mandates. For instance, Sabah requires unvaccinated incoming domestic travelers to present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within three days before arrival.

International Travel Restrictions
Malaysia continues to ban 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 PCR test within 48 hours before departure and download the MySejahtera contact-tracing application.

International arrivals who have received a COVID-19 booster shot must quarantine for five days. Fully vaccinated passengers who have not received a booster shot must quarantine for seven days, while unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days. Authorities may allow vaccinated entrants to quarantine at their residence. All travelers must undergo COVID-19 tests upon arrival and at the end of their quarantine.

Quarantine-free travel is possible under the Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB), the short-term traveler One-Stop Center (OSC), and Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) schemes. Fully vaccinated short and long-term business travelers may apply to enter Malaysia under the OSC initiative. Short-term travelers must stay in the country 14 days or less to qualify for the OSC and be eligible for an exemption from quarantine, but long-term travelers under the OSC initiative remain subject to quarantine requirements. Fully vaccinated international tourists, except for travelers from high-risk locations, can enter Langkawi, Kedah State, through the LITB; the list of high-risk locations is unclear. Travelers under the LITB must undergo daily testing and stay in Langkawi for at least three days; passengers who wish to travel to other parts of Malaysia must stay in Langkawi for at least seven days. Fully vaccinated passengers who have been in Singapore for the past 14 days can enter Malaysia via a 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. Travelers under the PCA are subject to a quarantine period determined by the relevant agency.

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