[Updated] Malaysia's COVID-19 protocols: What to do if you get a positive test result or are cited as a 'close contact'

The quarantine period for confirmed cases and close contacts who are unvaccinated is 10 days, while quarantine for those who are close contacts, but fully vaccinated, will be seven days.

This story was updated on 1 December 2021 with details on how to identify if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

Malaysia's Ministry of Health (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia) has shared a set of protocols for individuals in the country to follow in three instances - if you test COVID-positive, if you are a close contact of a case but you are vaccinated, and if you are a close contact but are unvaccinated.

These protocols are as follows:

Scenario #1: If you are confirmed positive

• Self-quarantine for 10 days
• You will not need to do a repeat test for COVID-19.

Scenario #2: If you are a close contact of a case but are fully vaccinated

• Self-quarantine for seven days
• Repeat the RT-PCR/RTK-Antigen test on the fifth day.

Scenario #3: If you have are a close contact of a case but are unvaccinated

• Self-quarantine for 10 days
• Repeat the RT-PCR/RTK-Antigen test on the eighth day.

The ministry also highlighted that localities with limited health system capacity may choose to only conduct the tests on symptomatic close contacts. 

View the ministry's Facebook post below:

On 30 November 2021, the Ministry of Health shared a short update on how to identify if you're a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.

You are considered as a close contact if:

• You were within one metre distance of a positive case.
• You spent more than 15 minutes with them.
• You interacted without a face mask.
• You had physical contact with them.

Photo / 123RF

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