Malaysia to reopen borders on 1st April
Many of us have been looking forward to traveling freely again ever since travel restrictions were enforced in our country. After almost a two-year wait, Malaysia announced that it will be reopening its borders to international visitors on 1st April 2022.
Incoming travellers, as well as returning Malaysians, who are fully vaccinated will get to skip quarantine upon arrival. Nonetheless, Covid-19 testing will still be required before departure and upon arrival in Malaysia.
No more quarantines for the fully vaccinated
On 7th March, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri revealed that Malaysia will be reopening all of its international checkpoints soon, after two years of being shut due to the pandemic, as reported by Channel News Asia. These include the Johor Causeway and the Second Link to Singapore.
According to her, our country is ready to reopen to international travellers – a step that will help Malaysia’s tourism sector bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.
On Tuesday, 8th March, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob shared an update on the matter in a press conference – Malaysia will indeed be reopening its borders to international travellers on 1st April 2022.
This means Malaysians are now able to enter and exit the country freely with valid travel documents. We can also travel to countries that have either reopened to international travellers, or established vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs) with Malaysia.
Likewise, international travellers can look forward to visiting Malaysia again. Applying for travel to Malaysia via MyTravelPass will no longer be required, but the use of contact-tracing application MySejahtera is a must as visitors will need to fill up a pre-departure form on the app.
For fully vaccinated travellers – Malaysians and visitors included – quarantines will not be mandatory upon arrival in Malaysia from 1st April. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for travellers who have not been vaccinated for various reasons will be announced on Wednesday, 9th March, as reported by New Straits Times.
Image credit: @IsmailSabri60
According to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, fully vaccinated travellers will only have to undergo a Covid-19 Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test two days before departure, and a professional Covid-19 Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-Ag) test within 24 hours after arrival in Malaysia.
The ease of travel restrictions comes as Malaysia begins its transition into the endemic phase on 1st April. Under this transition, mask-wearing in public places and checking in with MySejahtera are requirements that will remain.
But we will be able to enjoy late-night suppers again, as businesses will be allowed to operate 24 hours.
Other restrictions that will be lifted include:
- MySejahtera check-in for open spaces with no crowds or gatherings
- Vaccination requirements for interstate travels
- Capacity limit at workplaces and activities involving large crowds – physical distancing still encouraged
New VTLs with Thailand & Cambodia
In addition to our international borders reopening, the government has announced that several new air VTLs would be implemented as well, from 15th March 2022. These include VTLs with neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia.
According to Malaysian Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, Malaysians who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed to travel to these countries without having to undergo quarantine upon arrival, as reported by The Star.
Image credit: Unsplash
Up to six flights will be allowed to operate daily between KL and Bangkok, and up to four between KL and Phuket. Meanwhile for Cambodia, two daily flights via designated airlines will be allowed on the KL and Phnom Penh route.
There are possibilities of extra routes being added, depending on the demand for flight tickets.
Malaysia to reopen borders on 1st April
The reopening of our country’s international borders is great news for many of us, especially those who have been yearning to travel freely to see their loved ones or just see the world again.
Nonetheless, as Covid-19 daily cases remain a concern at home and abroad, it’s important that we still adhere to SOPs that are set in place to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
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Cover image adapted from: Unsplash
Additional reporting by Janet Cho.
This article has been updated for clarity.