Travel rules further eased as endemicity beckons

PUTRAJAYA: Fully vaccinated travellers entering Malaysia need not undergo pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests from May 1 onwards.

This is among a slew of standard operating procedure (SOP) relaxations being made as the country transitions into endemicity.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that fully vaccinated travellers – either Malaysians or foreigners – who are aged 13 and above are also not required to undergo supervised RTK-Antigen tests within 24 hours upon arrival.

They are also not required to undergo quarantine.

The same SOP applies to children aged 12 and below as well as those who have been infected with Covid-19 within six to 60 days before departure, he said.

“For partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, the SOP requirement to do an RT-PCR test two days before departure and supervised RTK-AG test within 24 hours upon arrival remains applicable.

“These groups of travellers, who are 18 years old and above, are also to undergo five days’ quarantine upon their arrival in Malaysia,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

They are also to do an RT-PCR test on Day 4 or a professionally conducted RTK-Ag test on Day 5 of their quarantine.

These changes all take effect from May 1.

“Travellers found to be symptomatic at international entry points will be ordered to undergo professional RTK-Ag testing,” said Khairy.

He added that the same policy applies to all categories of travellers, including those performing umrah or haj, and foreign workers.

Umrah and haj travellers are also required to take booster shots prior to their departure.

Travellers are still required to present a Traveller’s Card on their MySejahtera application on arrival.

Khairy also announced that Covid-19 insurance is no longer a pre-condition for non-Malaysian travellers entering the country beginning May 1.

Before this, it was compulsory for travellers arriving in Malaysia to purchase Covid-19 insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000 (RM84,000).