Expats from green zone countries allowed in

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has agreed to allow expatriates in selected categories from green zone countries to enter Malaysia without needing prior approval from the Immigration Department, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister said expatriates under the employment pass (EP) category one, professional visit pass and resident pass-talent, who hold senior management posts in companies here, would be allowed in to Malaysia now.

However, these expatriates would need to undergo swab tests at their home countries first before flying out or undergo a Covid-19 screening upon reaching Malaysia.

“If the test is negative, they need not undergo the 14-day compulsory home quarantine but this is only for those who come from countries in the green zone.

“If they are from countries in the red zone, then they must undergo the two-week quarantine, ” he said.

Ismail Sabri said some of the green zone countries include Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia.

He said the government was still waiting for the Health Ministry to fine-tune the list of nations that could be listed as green zone countries.

“Those coming in must download the MySejahtera app for monitoring purposes.

“The Immigration Department is also looking into entry processes for expatriates in the EP2 and EP3 categories, ” he said.

Ismail Sabri said technical specialists for specialised work such as repairing machines or ships that could not be done by locals were also allowed in.

He said their entry would be granted as long as their working period was limited, do not mingle with others, work in small groups or in closed areas.

“We allow them in for our own benefits as well, ” he said, adding that these specialists need to apply for a professional visit pass through the expatriate service division online.

Ismail Sabri said they would also need to undergo a swab test in their home countries or do it upon arrival in Malaysia.

Similarly, they also need to download the MySejahtera app.

On a separate issue, Ismail Sabri said foreigners seeking medical treatment under the medical tourism industry could do so without the Immigration Department’s approval.

However, these foreigners need to register with the Malaysian Health Tourism Council before entering the country.

“They are allowed to bring one person to accompany them but the person needs to undergo health screening at their country of origin or once they reach Malaysia.

“Those entering under medical tourism need not undergo quarantine as they will be taken directly to the hospitals of their choice, ” he said.

On the international students studying at public and private higher learning institutions, as well as international schools, Ismail Sabri said they could return to Malaysia to resume their studies.

He said these students need not apply to the Immigration Department but have to register with the Education Ministry, as well as the Higher Education Ministry.

“They need to register first as the immigration authorities will cross check the list given by both ministries at the airports. However, these students must undergo the Covid-19 screening in their countries of origin or as soon as they land, ” he said.

He said students coming in from green zone countries need not be quarantined while those from red zones must undergo the 14-day quarantine process.

The students must also download the MySejahtera app for monitoring purposes.

Ismail Sabri said Malaysian students who need to continue their studies overseas or sit for exams could also do so without writing in to the Immigration.

“However, these students must produce letters to prove that they need to go overseas to continue their studies or sit for tests before departing, ” he said.

Ismail Sabri also said Malaysians who need to travel overseas for emergency, medical or specific purposes need not seek approval from Immigration authorities.