ER
MALAYSIA has again updated its COVID-19 testing requirements for entry into the country for international and local travelers. The existence of a new variant of Omicron makes Malaysia tighten the entry rules using Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) by air and land.
The Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB) and One Stop Center (OSC) also apply to short-term business visitors, reported The Straits Times, Friday (12/10). Overall incoming people will have to undergo an additional COVID-19 test for six days after arriving in Malaysia, the new requirements will also apply to travelers from Singapore.
According to the Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin, the requirement will take effect from Wednesday (12/08). This regulation aims to strengthen the prevention, control, and transmission and spread of Omicron variants.
According to existing procedures, VTL travelers must undergo a professionally administered COVID-19 detection test upon arrival in Malaysia. Travelers arriving by air must undergo a PCR (RT PCR) test. Then for those who arrive by land, they have to do a rapid antigen test (RTK-Ag).
Apart from having to comply with these regulations, there are other things that must also be implemented, namely travelers must undergo additional tests upon their arrival.
Kuala Lumpur and several other cities were placed under a Movement Control Order (MCO) as the number of COVID-19 cases and clusters continued to increase. This consisted of a self-administered RTK-Ag test on the second, fourth and sixth days after their arrival, and a professionally administered RTK-Ag test on the third and fifth day after arrival.
Khairy Jamaluddin explained that travelers must also ensure that they have been fully vaccinated and must undergo an RT-PCR test 48 hours before their travel date. Furthermore, those who use LITB are also required to undergo an RT-PCR test at least 48 hours before leaving the island of Langkawi.
According to the health minister, all test results must be reported through a Malaysian COVID-19 tracking app called MySejahtera. Then for travelers from five countries with reported Omicron cases, namely the UK, the United States, Australia, France and Norway, they will be asked to do an RT-PCR swab test 48 hours before leaving for Malaysia.
Khairy Jamaluddin added that travelers will also be asked to use digital tracking devices during the mandatory quarantine period. Travelers including Malaysian nationals and long-term visit permit holders arriving from eight countries under the temporary travel ban will also have to use digital tracking devices in isolation centers for 14 days.
The eight countries that have temporarily imposed travel restrictions are South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. [antaranews/photo special]
