Malaysia's updated isolation period for COVID-19 close contacts, effective 1 March 2022

The isolation period for close contact cases will range from zero to seven days, depending on the individual's vaccination status.

Malaysia's Ministry of Health (MOH) has revised the isolation period for COVID-19 related cases, effective 1 March 2022. In particular, the revised isolation period for individuals who are close contacts of a positive case. This would mean that the recent announcement in early-February, on the isolation period for positive cases is still applicable, unless stated otherwise.

According to MOH, the isolation period for individuals who are close contacts is as follows, and it varies depending on their vaccination status:

• Boosted (vaccination status) 
  • If asymptomatic, no quarantine is required; RTK (Ag) testing is required on day one and day three.
  • If symptomatic, a five-day quarantine is required; RTK (Ag) testing is required on day five. If negative, the individual can be released from quarantine.
• Fully-vaccinated 
  • If asymptomatic, a five-day quarantine is required, with RTK (Ag) testing required on day five. If negative, an individual can be released from quarantine.
  • If symptomatic, a five-day quarantine is  required; RTK (Ag) testing must be taken on day five. If negative, the individual can be released from quarantine.
• Partially-vaccinated/unvaccinated 
  • If asymptomatic, a seven-day quarantine is required, with RTK (Ag) testing required on day seven. If negative, the individual can be released from quarantine.
  • If symptomatic, a seven-day quarantine is required; RTK (Ag) testing must be done on day seven. If negative, the individual can be released from quarantine.

That said, the Ministry noted that fully-vaccinated close contact individuals who had been infected with COVID-19 within the last 60 days of vaccination would not have to undergo the aforementioned isolation periods.

With regard to vaccinations, Minister for Health Khairy Jamaluddin, on 24 February 2022, had also informed the public that those who are vaccinated with Sinovac are to get their booster dose latest by 31 March 2022, else they would lose their fully-vaccinated status.

Also read: No continuous COVID-19 testing for travellers entering Malaysia via VTL, LTB, and OSC from 3 March

Image / Malaysia's Ministry of Health Facebook

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