Feb 2022 updates to Malaysia's Phase 4 SOPs

Individuals who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case will be assigned a digital home surveillance and observation order (HSO), and employers must adopt the digital HSO as proof of the individual undergoing isolation or quarantine.

Malaysia's National Security Council has updated the country's standard operating procedures for Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (Pelan Pemulihan Negara/PPN).

These updates, effective 10 February 2022 (Thursday), apply to the following (key changes in highlights):

Citizens and non-citizens returning/ arriving from abroad

1. Citizen and non-citizen travellers who have a residence in Malaysia (including PR and Malaysia MY Second Home) who return or arrive from abroad and have been fully vaccinated, are allowed to undergo mandatory quarantine at home and are given a digital Home Surveillance and Observation Order (HSO) subject to the risk assessment of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and details issued by the MOH.
   • Show evidence of RT PCR test report with negative result conducted three days before departure.
   • Have a valid certificate of completed dosage for COVID-19 vaccination (depending on the type of vaccine).
   • No symptoms during health screening at the National International Gateway (PMA).
   • Have a suitable place of residence to carry out quarantine.
2. The mandatory quarantine period for travelers from abroad is five days (have received a booster dose) or seven days (no booster dose but completely vaccinated) at home (if appropriate), or at a quarantine station. The mandatory quarantine period of 10 days at home (if appropriate) or at the quarantine station will apply to travellers who have not been vaccinated, or are not fully vaccinated.
3. Travellers are required to do a daily self-assessment through the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera application and this activity must continue until the end of the quarantine period (five, seven, or 10 days from the date of arrival).
4. Travellers are required to undergo COVID-19 infection detection test screening i.e. COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival at the PMA.

Supervision and observation orders for close contacts

The following will apply:

1. A five-day home quarantine period for individuals who have received a booster dose.
2. A seven-day home quarantine period for individuals who have not received a booster dose but are completely vaccinated.
3. A 10-day home quarantine period for individuals who are not or have not been completely vaccinated.
4. Individuals will be assigned an HSO digitally. The HSO digital instruction display can be screen-printed and employers must adopt the digital HSO as proof of the individual undergoing isolation or quarantine.

ALSO READ: Malaysia's updated isolation period for COVID-19 cases & close contacts: Feb 2022

Public health protocols

While the majority of these protocols remain the same, a key change is that temperature checks and manual entries for check-ins are no longer needed effective Thursday, 11 February.

Recap on the SOPs in force:

Complete vaccination

1. Individuals who have been completely vaccinated are individuals who have met the following criteria:
   • For vaccine types that require two doses of injection (such as Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech), COVID-19 AstraZeneca (Oxford-AstraZeneca), CoronaVac (Sinovac), Spikevax (Moderna), and Covilo (Sinopharm)), the individual in question must have passed the 14^th day from the date of the second dose injection; or
   • For vaccine types that require only one dose of injection (such as COVID-19 Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and Convidecia (CanSino)), the individual must have passed the 28^th day from the date of injection.
2. For individuals who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons, they must submit a medical report that has been certified by a registered medical practitioner.

Test and Release Protocol

1. A pilot test and release (T&R) protocol programme for travellers arriving from low-risk countries only. It involves strict and limited travel conditions or itineraries for official visits to the following groups of travellers:
   • Head of State
   • Minister
   • Deputy Minister
   • Chief Minister
   • Chief Minister
   • State Government Exco
   • Members of Parliament
   • Government Officials
2. Among the conditions imposed are:
   • Submit the application within the prescribed period together with supporting documents to the MOH for approval.
   • Undergo RT-PCR test 3 days before leaving for Malaysia.
   • Undergo RT-PCR test upon arrival at any entrance of the country.

Movement control

1. Cross-state travel is allowed for individuals who have fully received the vaccine by presenting the COVID-19 Vaccination Digital Card/ Certificate and identity card/ passport as proof.
2. Individuals who have received a complete vaccination are allowed to bring children 12 years of age and under in accordance with general health protocols.
3. Permission for cross-state movement is not allowed in areas or localities under tightened Movement Control Order (PKPD).
4. The movement of workers across states is subject to an employee pass or employer confirmation letter.
5. The movement of individuals who have not been fully vaccinated for the purpose of death and emergency cases is allowed after obtaining permission from the PDRM.
6. Individual movement, transportation of goods, and public transport for all types of vehicles are allowed based on the total capacity of the vehicle and vehicle registration license.
7. Activities and services at all airports and ports are allowed to operate 24 hours.

Public and private services

1. 100% attendance capacity.
2. The Civil Service is subject to the current direction of the Chief Secretary to the Government.
3. Comply with the guidelines of the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy ( refer to the MOH website).

Meetings and Interviews

1. Face-to-face meetings and interviews are allowed for individuals who have fully received the vaccine, subject to space capacity with physical distancing.
2. Party meetings are allowed for individuals who have fully received the vaccine subject to 50% space capacity with physical distancing. Press conferences and after-party meetings are allowed with physical imprisonment and the wearing of face masks.
3. Individuals who have not been vaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a self-test kit (saliva) before attending, witnessed by the organiser, or receive confirmation from a medical practitioner or attend a meeting by video conference.
4. Meetings are encouraged to be conducted by video conference.

Seminars, workshops, courses, trainings and talks as well as MICE

1. Seminars, workshops, courses, training and talks as well as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) are allowed for individuals who have fully received the vaccine, subject to space capacity with physical distancing.
2. Individuals who have not been vaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a self-test kit (saliva) before attending, witnessed by the organiser, or receive confirmation from a medical practitioner.
3. Individuals should undergo COVID-19 detection test when performing activities in accordance with the guidelines of the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy (refer to the MOH website).

View the full updates here.

Photo / 123RF

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