Malaysia further eases Covid-19 guidelines
It’s been over two years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit our shores. Since then, we’ve had to keep up with a number of standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as physical distancing and limited business operating hours.
But here are more updates for Malaysians longing for a return to pre-pandemic days – the government has announced further relaxations to the national Covid-19 SOPs as the country transitions to the endemic phase. As of 1st May 2022, MySejahtera check-in is no longer needed and the wearing of face masks will be optional outdoors.
No more MySejahtera check-ins and masks optional outdoors
On 27th April 2022, the Health Ministry announced several major updates to the current Covid-19 SOPs in Malaysia, effective from 1st May.
Image credit: KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
One major change to the SOPs is the phasing out of MySejahtera check-ins for contact tracing.
Regardless of one’s vaccination status, check-ins via the contact tracing application will no longer be required when entering premises. However, this is not applicable to those with ‘High Risk’ status or those under Home Surveillance Order (HSO) – premise owners must still keep an eye out on patrons for risk statuses and quarantine mandates.
MySejahtera will still be in use for other purposes, such as for Covid-19 positive individuals to report their test results and fill up health assessment forms.
Image credit: KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
Likewise, face mask will also be made optional for outdoors. Examples of settings where we can ditch our face masks include:
- Outside of our house or office buildings
- Bus stops
- Parks and fields
- Open-air walkways and bridges
High-risk individuals, however, are encouraged to continue using their face masks in these settings. The general public is also advised to still don their face masks in outdoor places that are crowded.
Masks remain mandatory indoors at places such as office buildings, shopping malls and classrooms, but can be removed in these following situations:
- Eating
- Exercising alone
- Giving a speech
- Performing on stage
There’ll be no more need for those floor markers, as physical distancing is no longer a rule. Nonetheless, observing a safe distance from others is still recommended when not wearing masks.
Updated Covid-19 SOPs in Malaysia from 1st May
Malaysians are slowly returning to normalcy as the country transitions to the endemic phase. We hope that these new SOP relaxations will benefit the public at large, as many are no doubt glad to see more restrictions being lifted. Nonetheless, do practise good hygiene and remember to protect yourself and your loved ones from Covid-19 at all times.
Read more here:
- New procedures for travel to Malaysia from 1st April
- Monsoon transition phase in Malaysia
- Malaysia to reopen borders on 1st April
Cover image adapted from: Chander Mohan / Unsplash