Malaysia: Officials to ease restrictions for several states from Oct. 18 /update 58

Event

Malaysia will ease COVID-19 restrictions in Klang Valley and several states, including Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Penang, Perak, and Sabah, from Oct. 18. Face-to-face Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) events can occur at 50 percent capacity in phase 3 localities; individuals must be fully vaccinated, take a pre-event rapid antigen test, and observe facemask and social distancing requirements. Additionally, officials will shorten the quarantine period for fully vaccinated travelers from 14 to seven days; individuals may serve the quarantine at home or designated facilities. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days at designated facilities.

The government classifies states into four phases under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in order of decreasingly strict controls. Facemasks are mandatory nationwide. Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor in Klang Valley and Melaka will move to Phase 4, while Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, and Sabah will move to Phase 3. Details on the respective measures are available on the MyGovernment website by clicking here. The phases from Oct. 18 are as follows:

• Phase 1: No localities are under Phase 1 protocols. Interdistrict and interstate travel are suspended; authorities may provide exemptions for vaccination appointments and approved individuals. Public transport may operate at 50-percent capacity. If not fully vaccinated, only two people from each household can leave their residence to purchase essential items. Taxis and ride-hailing services are limited to ferrying one unvaccinated passenger at a time. Construction and manufacturing companies approved by the government and mining and quarrying sectors may operate with health protocols in place and at varying capacity limits depending on vaccination rates among workers; employees must undergo a rapid antigen test every two weeks. Social activities like festive celebrations and weddings remain prohibited.

• Phase 2: No localities are under Phase 2 protocols. Most restrictions, such as movement controls for individuals who are not fully vaccinated and interdistrict and interstate travel, remain the same as Phase 1. However, more essential businesses from the agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and trade sectors may operate than in Phase 1. Government-approved private service sectors may work on-site at varying capacities depending on vaccination rates; companies may operate on-site at full capacity if at least 80 percent of workers are fully vaccinated. Government events can take place at 50 percent capacity. Most retail stores may open 06:00-22:00; customers must be fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Supermarkets may open 06:00-00:00. Food establishments can offer dine-in services for fully vaccinated persons with health protocols in place.

• Phase 3: Locations include Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, and Terangganu. Interdistrict travel within the same state can occur; interstate travel is prohibited. Up to three unvaccinated individuals from each household can leave their residence to purchase essential items or for medical reasons or emergencies. Taxis and ride-hailing services are limited to ferrying two unvaccinated passengers at a time. Public transport may operate at full capacity. Government agencies may operate at 80 percent capacity, and government events can take place 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; companies may operate on-site at full capacity if at least 80 percent of workers are fully vaccinated. Other private sector offices may operate with 80 percent of workers on site. 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.

• Phase 4: Locations include Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Putrajaya, and Selangor. 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.

Authorities may impose stricter protocols, like Enhanced Movement Control Orders (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.

Travel Restrictions
Officials have eased outbound international travel and interstate movement for fully vaccinated citizens. Fully vaccinated Malaysians traveling overseas will no longer 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 will not be allowed to visit areas implementing EMCO.

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. Individuals may apply for an MTP to enter or exit the country; fully vaccinated citizens are exempt. 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.

Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan may have additional requirements in place. Sarawak requires all persons, except for fully vaccinated domestic travelers, to apply via "enterSarawak" before traveling to the state. 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 certain individuals, including residents, students studying in Sabah, or essential workers with valid Malaysian immigration passes, among others, to enter the state; passengers cannot travel to Sabah for social visit purposes. 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. Separately, Labuan requires overseas travelers to present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure and undergo a 14-day quarantine at dedicated quarantine facilities upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur. 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.

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