No more Covid-19 tests for vaccinated travellers
It’s been nearly a month since Malaysia reopened its international borders. A list of eased guidelines to make travels a breeze for returning Malaysians and visitors were announced alongside the anticipated news – it included quarantine-free trips for the fully vaccinated.
To simplify the process further for travellers, the government announced on 27th April 2022 that pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests will no longer be a requirement. Mandatory Covid-19 insurances for travels will no longer be needed either.
Here are the highlights from the updated guidelines for travel, effective 1st May.
No Covid-19 tests for fully vaccinated travellers
On 27th April, the government released updated Covid-19 guidelines as Malaysia is in transition to the endemic phase. It included the phasing out of MySejahtera for check-in purposes, optional mask-wearing in Malaysia, and several updates for travel requirements.
Currently, travellers are required to undergo a RT-PCR Covid-19 test two days before their departure, and a supervised RTK-AG Covid-19 test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia. But from 1st May onwards, fully vaccinated visitors will no longer need to take these tests before they depart for their travels and when they arrive at the airport.
Those who tested positive for Covid-19 and recovered between the last 6-60 days before their date of departure for Malaysia can also skip the mandatory Covid-19 tests.
However, these visitors will still need to fill up a pre-departure form on MySejahtera.
Image credit: Unsplash / Mufid Majnun
All travellers are now welcomed back to Malaysia. But some guidelines remain for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, 17 years and below, who will still need to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests. But there will be no need for quarantines.
Likewise, those who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, aged 18 and above, will have to take these two tests, and quarantine for five days upon their arrival in Malaysia.
Covid-19 travel insurance for visitors, with a minimum coverage of USD20,000, will be scrapped for all travellers who enter Malaysia.
Other new guidelines from 1st May
Several new guidelines were also announced on Wednesday, 27th April, apart from travels.
Banned activities and businesses listed under the National Security Council’s negative list will be allowed again from 15th May. It includes nightclub activities, which has remain banned ever since the first Movement Control Order was implemented.
Individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 may also be released earlier from their mandatory quarantine period if they tested negative on day four, under a new guideline called ‘Covid-19 Positive Test and Release‘ that will be effective 1st May. Currently, all Covid-19 positive individuals have to quarantine for seven days.
On Thursday, 21st April, the government also announced that Covid-19 close contacts, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will no longer need to observe mandatory quarantine.
New guidelines for Malaysians, visitors and businesses
Covid-19 cases in Malaysia continue to decrease. Coupled with these new guidelines that’ll be implemented on 1st May, it seems that the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel is not far for Malaysians, visitors and businesses. While many are excited to see more restrictions being lifted, we hope that everyone continues to observe all Covid-19 guidelines in the country diligently, as we have come a long way since our lockdown days.
Cover image adapted from: Unsplash / Mohd Jon Ramlan and Unsplash / Norbert Braun
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