Covid-19: No quarantine or testing for kids aged six and below after borders reopen among new SOPs, says KJ

PETALING JAYA: Children aged six and below are not required to undergo Covid-19 testing during pre-departure and upon arrival when the border reopens on April 1, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

These are among the procedures for travellers entering the country from April 1 that were announced by the Health Minister at a press conference on Thursday (March 24).

Incoming international travellers are required to download the MySejahtera application before arriving in Malaysia and fill a pre-departure form.

Incoming travellers must also do a professional RTK-Ag test within 24 hours of arrival, he said, adding that these as well as Covid-19 breath tests will be available to travellers at the airport.

"Those failing to do the professional RTK test within the stipulated time will have their status changed to red on their MySejahtera.

“The red status means they will not be allowed to enter premises. They will also be deemed to have committed an offence,” said Khairy.

Unvaccinated individuals or those who have not been fully vaccinated are required to undergo five days' quarantine upon arrival.

For travellers who had previously contracted the virus in the last 60 days before travelling, Khairy said that they will be required to notify this in the app and show the results of the professional RTK test done two days prior to entering the country.

He added that international travellers must also obtain travel and Covid-19 insurance and provide a fixed address of residence while in the country.

"Fully vaccinated travellers will be issued a Traveller's Card on their app, while those who are not vaccinated or fully vaccinated, will be shown a HSO order in red on their app," he said.

Khairy said that those who test positive for Covid-19 while visiting the country only need to undergo HSO if they show no serious symptoms.

"If they develop serious symptoms, then they will be referred to hospital for treatment which is covered under their insurance," he added.

The reopening of the country’s borders will also see many travel procedures removed from April 1 onwards.

This includes the usage of digital tracker, Home Quarantine Application, the Langkawi International Tourism Bubble (LITB) and the Immigration Department's MyTravelPass.

The 18 countries previously classified as “high-risk” for travel due to the Omicron spread are also no longer deemed as such.