PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians abroad need not visit their nearest embassy in person to obtain the letter of approval required for their mandatory Covid-19 hotel quarantine.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said all the respective embassies would provide online forms for the people to fill up.
“Some people have complained that they do not live close to the nearest embassies and would have difficulties to go there to obtain approval.
“The embassies have provided online forms.
"You can apply online. So, you don't need to travel far to get to the embassy, ” said Ismail at the National Security Council’s daily press conference here.
The government has announced that citizens travelling into Malaysia would have to pay for their mandatory quarantine at selected hotels starting from June 1.
Foreigners and permanent residents will have to pay RM150 for a day’s stay, while Malaysians are to be charged half of that.
They would first have to sign an agreement to pay the quarantine charges at their nearest embassy, before they are issued a letter of approval.
Airlines cannot allow passengers who do not have the embassy’s letter of approval to board their flights.
Meanwhile, students abroad who have not completed their studies are advised to stay put instead of coming home.
“If there is no emergency to return home, it is better to just stay put where you are. After all, if you come back, you will only spend time at the quarantine centres, ” said Ismail.
Since April 4,39,841 Malaysians have undergone mandatory quarantine upon returning from abroad.
As of 8am on May 22, a total of 17,174 individuals are still held up at 268 quarantine centres nationwide.
