Malaysia reduces quarantine period for incoming travellers to 7 days for the fully-vaccinated

For those who are not fully vaccinated, the quarantine period for entry into Malaysia stands at 10 days. 

This story was updated on 20 October 2021 with further clarifications by the Ministry of Health.

Starting 18 October 2021 (Monday), there are two quarantine periods travellers entering into Malaysia have to abide by, according to Malaysia's Minister for Health, Khairy Jamaluddin.

For fully-vaccinated travellers, they are to undergo a seven-day quarantine period; while for those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, they are to undergo a 10-day quarantine period.

This rule also applies to individuals who are close contacts of COVID-19 positive cases. However, as cited in the notification, they can quarantine at home.

Prior to this, travellers entering from all countries had to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.

The reduced quarantine period is applicable to the following:

• Any citizen, permanent resident of Malaysia, expatriate or diplomatic corps, or any other foreigner authorised by the Director-General of immigration to enter Malaysia from abroad;
• Individuals who have been given surveillance and observation orders by authorised officers, for example, individuals returning from high-risk areas of transmission of infection as announced by the Government.

For those who are already on compulsory quarantine before this, however, Minister Khairy explained that they can undergo RT-PCR tests to be granted with a release order based on this rule.

Specifically, fully-vaccinated individuals on their fifth day (and above), and unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated individuals on their eighth day (and above) of compulsory quarantine, can undergo a RT-PCR testing. With a negative result, the Minister said that they can end their quarantine with the reduced quarantine period.

Minister Khairy further reminded travellers and Malaysians that any failure to comply with this order will be deemed as an offence under the 1988 Act for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.

On Wednesday (20 October 2021), the Ministry of Health further clarified (and reminded) that Malaysia's reopening of borders to travellers is only limited to citizens, permanent residents of Malaysia, expatriates or diplomatic corps, or any other foreigner authorised by the Director-General of immigration to enter Malaysia from abroad. The aforementioned rules and duration of quarantine continues to apply.

Entry approval into Sarawak

In separate news, fully-vaccinated Malaysians from other states will no longer need to apply for entry approval via EnterSarawak to travel to Sarawak. This is effective 18 October 2021 (Monday), the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has announced.

The SDMC explained that fully-vaccinated Malaysians only have to complete an e-Health Declaration Form (eHDF), and are not required to undergo Covid-19 screening. Although, they must present valid proof of vaccination, and have a 'low risk' or 'no symptom casual contact' status on their MySejahtera application.

For unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated Malaysians, for entering into Sarawak they still have to go through the EnterSarawak application, as well as undergo the relevant COVID-19 testing (i.e RT-PCR test) three days before departure for the state. Further, they will have to complete a 10-day quarantine period before going about in Sarawak. This rule also applies to children aged 12 and below accompanied by adults who are partially or not unvaccinated.

With regard to international travellers, it is still required of them to:

• Apply for entry approval via EnterSarawak;
• Complete the eHDF, and
• Undergo COVID-19 testing three days prior departure for Malaysia.

"Only travellers from abroad who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to ‘transit’ to Sarawak within 24 hours," the SDMC said. As for their quarantine period, it is the same as what Minister Khairy has announced (above), that is, seven days for the fully vaccinated, and ten days for the un- or partially-vaccinated.

ALSO READ: Malaysia's updated SOPs after transition of states from Phases Two and Three: Oct 2021

Image / Jabatan Perdana Menteri's Facebook

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