Langkawi to pilot international tourism bubble from 15 Nov 2021: SOPs to note

This pilot project will be conducted for three months, and the Ministry of Health and National Security Council will be evaluating its effectiveness before deciding on implementing it in resort islands and other tourist areas.

A pilot project for Langkawi Island's international tourism bubble (Project Rintis) is set to begin on 15 November 2021, Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced on Friday (22 October). 

According to the PM, this pilot project will be conducted for three months, and the Ministry of Health and National Security Council will be evaluating its effectiveness before deciding on implementing it in resort islands and other tourist areas.

In line with this, the COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee has accepted the following set of SOPs presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), which international tourists must comply with:

Pre-departure

• Target groups
  • Quality tourists (high yield)
  • Individuals who have been fully vaccinated
  • Children under the age of 18 must be present with their parents/guardians who have been fully vaccinated
  • List of countries allowed, subject to the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM )/ MOH/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN)'s updates

Duration of Stay

• At least three days
• No quarantine conditions apply (for Langkawi International Tourism Bubble only)

COVID -19 PCR -RT test

• Must be done 72 hours before departure
• Must be presented in a digital/ printed form

Insurance

• Minimum: US$80,000

Tourism services

• Compulsory to engage, and tour operators must be licenced under MOTAC.

Passport & visa (health declaration form, LoU, and Indemnity)

• Compulsory

MySejahtera Application

• Tourists must register for the application before departing for Langkawi/Malaysia.

Arrival and accommodation

• Via KLIA
  • Rapid Molecular Testing (1 hour 30 minutes)
  • Or directly to Langkawi (a compulsory RT -PCR COVID -19 test must be done on the second day)
  • If tested positive, individuals will be taken directly to an isolation centre/ quarantine facility/ private hospital (according to their respective Category)

• Tour guides
  • There must only be one tour guide per tour group, with a maximum of 20 people.

• COVID -19 PCR -RT tests
  • If traveling for three days, individuals will just need a screening test on the second day (can be used to return to the country of origin).
  • If traveling for more than five days, individuals must perform a screening test on the fifth day, and all costs are to be borne by the individuals.

Pre -departure back to country of origin

• COVID -19 PCR -RT tests
  • Must be done 72 hours before departure
  • If traveling for three days, screening test on the second day can be used for departure back to the country of origin.

Photo / 123RF

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