COVID – 19 isolation period shortened to five days from July 5: Dr Zaliha

The isolation period for confirmed COVID – 19 cases has been shortened from seven days to five effective July 5, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.

In a statement today, she said this was because research showed that COVID – 19 infectivity was at its highest in the first five days.

She also said that while it was compulsory before for COVID – 19 patients to mask up when using public transport and in health facilities, they were now only required (not compulsory) to do so.

Dr Zaliha, however, said that high – risk individuals like senior citizens, those with chronic diseases, individuals with low immunity, or pregnant women are strongly encouraged to wear face masks, especially in crowded places and areas with poor ventilation.

She said individuals with respiratory symptoms are also encouraged to mask up while using public transport such as buses, on flights and taxis, including e – hailing services, worker bus / vans and school buses or vans to prevent infection to others.

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said the ministry had decided to extend the status of local infection areas in Malaysia, due to end tomorrow, by another six months until Dec 31, 2023, although the COVID – 19 situation was not at a worrying level and health services were not under pressure,

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No change in SOP on foreign tourists arriving in Malaysia

The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the entry of foreign tourists at all international entry points remains as of now, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.  He said any decision regarding new SOP would only be made based on the latest COVID – 19 data.

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Published 8 January 2023

Protocol for travelers arriving at Malaysia’s International Borders from 1 April 2022

Pre – departure, travelers are reminded to take a COVID – 19 detection test, download the MySejahtera application, and purchase travel insurance.

With Malaysia reopening its borders in its transition to an endemic phase, the protocols for travelers entering the country have also been updated.

Effective 1 April 2022, here are the testing and quarantine procedures for travelers arriving in Malaysia:

Pre-departure measures:
1) Travellers are required to download, register and activate the MySejahtera application.
2) They are required to complete a travel declaration including vaccination information that can be accessed via the Traveller icon in the MySejahtera application.
3) They are required to upload the results of their RT – polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test done two days before departure.
4) For travellers who were infected with COVID – 19 within six to 60 days before departure, they are required to upload the results of their Rapid Test Kit Antigen (RTK – Ag) done two days before departure.
5) Meanwhile, non-citizen travellers are also required to have both COVID – 19 and travel insurance, as well as to state the address where they will be staying in Malaysia.

Upon arrival in Malaysia:
1) Travellers will go through fever screenings via thermal scanners or conduct self-referrals by reporting to health workers if they are symptomatic for further examination at the health counters at the international entry points.
2) Asymptomatic travellers can continue their journey to the immigration counters for further checks.

24 hours after travellers arrive in Malaysia:
1) Travellers are required to undergo the same RTK – Ag test whether at a private health facility at the international entry points or outside within 24 hours.
2) The RTK – Ag test results will be obtained in the MySejahtera app.

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Fully – vaccinated travelers (and travelers above the age of 18 who have gotten a booster dose):

Pre – departure: Required to take a PCR test two days before travelling.
On – arrival test: RTK – Ag (professional) test at a facility / hotel within 24 hours.
Test and quarantine after arrival: No test / quarantine required.

Fully – vaccinated travelers who were recently infected with COVID – 19 within 60 days before departure:

Pre – departure: RTK – Ag (professional) test two days before travelling.
On – arrival test: RTK – Ag (professional) test at a facility / hotel within 24 hours.
Test and quarantine after arrival: No test / quarantine required.

Non – vaccinated travelers, due to medical reasons (case by case basis):

Pre – departure: Required to take a PCR test two days before travelling.
On – arrival test: RTK – Ag (professional) test at a facility / hotel within 24 hours.
Test and quarantine after arrival: No test / quarantine required, BUT results based on a case by case basis.

Partially – vaccinated / non – vaccinated:

Pre – departure: Required to take a PCR test two days before travelling.
On – arrival test: RTK – Ag (professional) test at a facility / hotel within 24 hours.
Test and quarantine after arrival: PCR test on day four / RTK – Ag test on day five, quarantine for five days.

Children and adolescents aged 17 and below:

Pre – departure: Required to take a PCR test two days before travelling.
On – arrival test: RTK – Ag (professional) test at a facility / hotel within 24 hours.
Test and quarantine after arrival: No test / quarantine required.

Pre – departure, all travelers are also reminded to download and activate the MySejahtera application. Through the app, they are then required to complete the pre – departure form through the Traveller icon.

It is also important to note that travelers are also required to purchase COVID – 19 & travel insurance.

On – arrival, they will take a temperature check before undergoing any required tests.

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COVID – 19 test no longer required for travelers from three categories

Effective May 1, travelers under three categories are no longer required to undergo COVID – 19 test before departing to Malaysia and upon arrival, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said.

They include fully vaccinated individuals aged 13 and above; individuals who had contracted COVID – 19 within six to 60 days from the date of recovery before departing for Malaysia; and individuals aged 12 and below, irrespective of their vaccination status.

Khairy said that partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers would have to undergo the RT – PCR or RTK – Ag professional test two days before departure to Malaysia, and also a supervised RTK Antigen test within 24 hours upon arrival.

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Published 28 April 2022

Requirements for entry into the Netherlands:

Self – quarantine requirement lifted as of 25 February 2022
From 00.01 on 25 February 2022 people travelling to the Netherlands no longer have to self – quarantine on arrival. There are still other rules for travelers.  See the checklist to find out what rules apply to you.

Click here to see the announcement

There are no coronavirus entry rules for people travelling from:

• Countries within the EU / Schengen area
• Countries participating in the EU travel rules scheme
  If you are travelling by air, complete a health declaration form.

You are advised to do a self – test immediately after arrival in the Netherlands and again on day 5.

EU entry ban for travelers from non – EU countries

An EU entry ban is in effect for people from countries outside the European Union / Schengen area. There are exemptions to the entry ban, for example for people travelling from a safe country or people with proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. This proof of vaccination or recovery must meet certain requirements. From 23 March 2022 people travelling to the Netherlands no longer need to show a negative test result.

Click here to see the announcement