Malaysia tightens travel restrictions for VTLs, Langkawi International Travel Bubble, and more from 8 Dec

Malaysia's Minister for Health Khairy Jamaluddin shared that these travel restrictions will be reviewed from time to time.

Starting from 8 December 2021 (Wednesday), travellers entering Malaysia via Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs-Air); VTLs-Land; Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB), and One-Stop Centre for short-term business trips will subject to stricter travel restrictions.

This is according to Malaysia's Minister for Health Khairy Jamaluddin's latest announcement on 7 December 2021 (Tuesday), which he noted is due to the increasing number of countries having confirmed cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

In addition, another set of travel restrictions will also apply to Malaysian citizens and long-term pass holders entering Malaysia from:

• Countries that are subject to the nation's temporary travel restrictions (i.e. South Africa, Botswana, Eswathini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi), and
• Countries that have confirmed cases of Omicron (i.e. Australia, the United States, Norway, France, and the United Kingdom).

Continue below to find the following travel restrictions in detail, effective 8 December 2021.

Restriction #1 - VTLs (Land & Air)

• All VTL travellers entering Malaysia via VTLs-Land and VTLs-Air must be fully-vaccinated.
  
  
• Before departure testing:
  • VTL-Air travellers: Undergo reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing two days before departure for Malaysia.
  • VTL-Land travellers: Undergo professional RTK-antigen (RTK-Ag) testing or RT-PCR testing two days before departure for Malaysia.
    
    
• On-arrival testing:
  • VTL-Air travellers: Undergo RT-PCR testing in KLIA and KLIA 2.
  • VTL-Land travellers: Undergo professional RTK-antigen testing at Larkin Central Bus Terminal, Johor Bahru.
    
    
• Additional testing required:
  • For all VTL travellers and VTL travellers returning to Malaysia from Singapore:
    • Undergo professional RTK-Ag testing on day three and day five after arrival, and
    • Administer self rapid antigen (RT-Ag) testing on day two, day four, and day six after arrival.

All self-test results must be reported through Malaysia's MySejahtera application. And all travellers are not subject to quarantines.

Restriction #2 - Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB)

• All travellers entering Malaysia via the Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB) must be fully-vaccinated.
• Travellers proposed to enter Malaysia via LITB from eight African countries (i.e. South Africa, Botswana, Eswathini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi) are not allowed.
  
  
• Before departure testing:
  • Undergo reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing two days before departure for Langkawi, Malaysia.
    
    
• On arrival testing:
  • Undergo RT-PCR testing.
    
    
• Additional testing required:
  • Undergo professional RTK-Ag testing on day three and day five after arrival;
  • Administer self rapid antigen (RT-Ag) testing on day two, day four, and day six after arrival, and
  • Undergo RT-PCR testing two days before leaving Langkawi.

Similarly, all self-test results must be reported through Malaysia's MySejahtera application. Travellers in this group will receive a digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO), and will be allowed to go to the hotel while waiting for test results.

NEW: 4 things to note if you want to travel under Malaysia's Langkawi Travel Bubble (LTB)

Restriction #3 - OSC short-term business travellers

• All short-term business travellers (STBT) entering Malaysia via One Stop Centre (OSC) must be fully-vaccinated.
  
  
• Before departure testing:
  • Undergo reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing two days before departure for Malaysia.
    
    
• On arrival testing:
  • Undergo RT-PCR testing in Malaysia.
  • Business Travellers Centre (BTC) to facilitate the incoming business traveller’s entry to Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
    
    
• Additional testing required:
  • Undergo professional RTK-Ag testing on day three and day five after arrival, and
  • Administer self rapid antigen (RT-Ag) testing on day two, day four, and day six after arrival.

All self-test results must likewise be reported through Malaysia's MySejahtera application.

Although this group of travellers is not subject to quarantine, they are to abide by the duration of stay (which does not exceed 14 days) approved by the One-Stop Centre (OSC) committee, practice a controlled itinerary, and be consulted by a liaison officer provided by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

ICYMI: 10 FAQs about Malaysia's MySejahtera app

Restriction #4 - Malaysian citizens and long-term pass holders from temporarily restricted nations

• Undergo RT-PCR testing two days before departure for Malaysia;
• Undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival;
• Undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated quarantine stations, and
• Undergo RT-PCR testing on day 10 of quarantine.

In this case, Malaysians are to wear a digital tracker during the quarantine, and to undergo a final risk assessment on day 14 of quarantine. Should there be any symptomatic signs, the quarantine will be extended. That said, Malaysians will be released on day 15 provided the result is negative on day 10 of quarantine.

Restriction #5 - Malaysian citizens and long-term pass holders from countries that have confirmed cases of Omicron

• Undergo RT-PCR testing two days before departure for Malaysia;
• Undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival;
• Undergo mandatory a seven-day quarantine (for the fully-vaccinated) / a 10-day quarantine (for the un- and partially-vaccinated) at designated quarantine stations or at home, and
• Undergo RT-PCR testing on day five of quarantine (for the fully-vaccinated) / day eight (for the un- and partially-vaccinated).

For this group, Malaysians are to wear a digital tracker immediately on arrival, and to undergo a final risk assessment on the last day (day seven or day 10) of quarantine. Should there be any symptomatic signs, the quarantine will be extended. If, however, the RT-PCR testing results are negative on day five or day eight, Malaysians will be released from quarantine on day eight (for the fully-vaccinated), and on day 10 (for the un- and partially-vaccinated).

Image / Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia's Facebook

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