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SOPs for Malaysia's National Recovery Plan (Jan 2022)

SOPs for Malaysia's National Recovery Plan (Jan 2022)

Bookmark this: Details on travel into Malaysia, supervision orders for close contacts of COVID-19 cases, eligibility for cross-state and cross-border travel, and more.

BACA DALAM BAHASA MELAYU

Earlier this month, Malaysia's National Security Council (Majlis Keselamatan Negara/MKN) released a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Phase Four of the country's National Recovery Plan. 

These SOPs will apply to the entire country. An additional set of SOPs will also apply to individuals in Labuan [here], Sabah [here], and Sarawak [here].

Details on travel into Malaysia, supervision orders for close contacts of COVID-19 cases, eligibility for cross-state and cross-border travel, and more can be found below:

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 14th 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 28th 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.

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. Individuals who return/arrive from abroad and have not been fully vaccinated or are not vaccinated must undergo quarantine at the designated quarantine center and subject to the details issued by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).
  3. The mandatory quarantine period for travellers from abroad is seven days at home (if applicable) or a quarantine station for travelers with complete vaccination. While the mandatory quarantine period of 10 days at the quarantine station for travelers who are not completely vaccinated.
  4. 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 (either seven days or 10 days from the date of arrival).
  5. Travellers are required to undergo COVID-19 infection detection test screening i.e. COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival at PMA.

Supervision and observation orders for close contacts

The following will apply:

  • A  seven-day quarantine period at home for fully-vaccinated individuals.
  • A 10-day home quarantine period for incompletely vaccinated individuals

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).

Government and private official councils

  1. Government and private official councils 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 are encouraged to 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).

Public health protocol 

  1. Licensees and premises owners are required to provide the MySejahtera QR Code facility and provide a customer attendance registration book.
  2. Hand sanitisers must be provided at the entrance, and used before entering. The use of the MySejahtera application is mandatory in areas with wide internet access. The use of customer attendance registration books is only allowed in areas where there is no internet coverage or other reasonable reasons (senior citizens, absence of smartphones, etc.).
  3. Licensees and owners of the premises must ensure that customers check in the premises using MySejahtera, or manually write their name and phone number if there is no internet coverage.
  4. Employers, employees, customers, and visitors are required to check-in MySejahtera or write manually the name and telephone number that can be read (if there is no internet coverage) before entering the premises, including in Government offices, private and private.
  5. For shopping malls, supermarkets, or department stores, customers only need to perform a body temperature scan once at the entrance of the complex and not at every business premises under one complex.
  6. Body temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celsius are not allowed to enter the complex and premises.
  7. The owners of complexes and premises outside the complex must ensure that only customers with “Low Risk” status including “Casual Contact Low Risk” in MySejahtera or COVID-19 Vaccination Card are allowed to enter their respective complexes or premises.
  8. Licensees and premises owners must ensure control of customer entry and exit to the premises with physical distancing of at least one metre.
  9. Individuals under the age of 12 are not encouraged to be in public places and facilities.
  10. Licensees and premises owners must limit the number of customers on the premises with physical confinement of at least one metre at a time.
  11. Each premise must display the number of customer entry limits at any one time. The use of a queue number system is encouraged for customers entering from a premise.
  12. All building owners must provide a QR Code on each level.
  13. Employees, suppliers, and customers are required to wear face masks properly according to MOH recommendations while on the premises.
  14. Ensure good ventilation and ventilation systems in the premises based on the guidelines for ventilation and indoor air quality issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
  15. Comply with the guidelines of the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy (refer to the MOH website).
  16. It is compulsory to wear a face mask especially when in public places except for activities and places as follows:
    1. Hotel rooms or paid accommodation alone and involving household members.
    2. Solitary workspace.
    3. Sports and recreational activities.
    4. Own vehicle with household members.
    5. Indoor or outdoor public areas and places without any other individuals.
    6. While eating and drinking in public places without any other individual (other than in restaurants or food premises).

Social activities

  1. Social ceremonies such as feasts, festive celebrations, wedding or engagement celebrations, wedding ceremonies, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, prayers, tahlil, birthday celebrations, birthday celebrations, reunions, retreats, and other social ceremonies are allowed for individuals who have completed receive the vaccine with 50% space capacity and physical incarceration.
  2. For individuals who have received a complete vaccination are allowed to bring children aged 12 years and below in accordance with general health protocols.
  3. Encouraged to 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).

Dine-in

  1. Restaurant operators including hotels, sports and recreation club houses, eateries, food stalls, catering vehicles, roadside hawkers, street hawkers, food courts, hawker centers, roadside food stalls and kiosks are allowed to provide dine-in services in accordance with the conditions following:
    • Only accept clients who have been fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.
    • Business premises owners MUST display a fully vaccinated and asymptomatic customer acceptance notice only at the entrance of the premises.
    • Only employees who have received a complete dose of vaccine and asymptomatic are allowed to work.
    • The owner of the business premises must ensure that the table layout according to the prison and the premises have a good ventilation system.
    • Dine-in activities with physical imprisonment of at least one metre are subject to SOP KPDNHEP VAT Phase 4-Distribution Trade.
  2. Individuals who have received a complete vaccination are allowed to bring children aged 12 and under to dine-in at the premises in accordance with general health protocols.

Creative and entertainment industry activities

  1. All creative industry activities with fully vaccinated individuals are permitted subject to detailed SOP compliance. The permitted creative industry activities are as follows:
    • Development and broadcasting of creative content by recording or live broadcast.
    • Broadcast by recording or live broadcast in the form of information delivery and entertainment.
    • Depiction of the creative industry inside and outside the studio.
    • Busking.
    • Presentation in the hotel lounge.
    • Live performances such as theater, musicals, music, and comedy (by pre -registration).
    • Movie stage
  2. Comply with the guidelines of the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy (refer to the MOH website).

Tourism and cultural activities

  1. Tourism and cultural activities are allowed to operators, employees and visitors/ visitors who have been fully vaccinated with physical imprisonment subject to the space capacity of the premises allowed and comply with the relevant SOPs:
    • ✓ Products of major tourist attractions such as beach activities, water sports, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing tourism, edutainment centers, recreation parks, extreme/ adventure/ nature parks, farms, aquariums, zoos, and other leisure, recreational and social activities.
    • ✓ Special Interest Tourism Activities (golfing, scuba diving, cycling, angling, yachting, etc.).
    • ✓ Eco-Adventure activities (bird watching, caving, mountain climbing, white-water rafting, hiking, jungle trekking, camping, and so on).
    • ✓ Premises of art, culture, and heritage such as museums, libraries, art galleries, cultural heritage art centers/ villages, staging of cultural performances, and others.
    • ✓ Theme parks and family entertainment centres.
    • ✓ Academic Visits (Science Center, Planetarium, Petroscience).
    • ✓ Tourism and Cultural Events.
  2. Encouraged to 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).
  3. For individuals who have received a complete vaccination are allowed to bring children 12 years and under in accordance with general health protocols.
  4. Cross-state tourism activities are allowed for individuals who have been fully vaccinated except in areas declared PKPD or not allowed by the Government.
  5. Accommodation in licensed and registered hotels and homestays is allowed for fully vaccinated guests.
  6. Other tourism and cultural activities other than those under the Negative List must follow the existing Tourism and Culture SOPs in force.

Negative list

  1. Entertainment activities
    • Activities in nightclubs or pubs.
  2. Tourism and cultural activities
    • In-country tourism activities involving foreign tourists entering Malaysia except those involving the International Tourism Bubble.
  3. Sports and recreational activities
    • Sports and recreational activities performed that exceed the prescribed capacity.
  4. Organising tournaments/ competitions/ sports and recreational events without permission from the Office of the Sports Commissioner (PPS).
  5. Others not permitted
    • Any activity that may cause many people to be present in a place so as to complicate physical incarceration and compliance with the instructions of the Director-General of Health.
    • Other matters decided by the Government from time to time.

Read the full set of SOPs which includes details on childcare operations, school settings, and sports and leisure, here


Photo / 123RF

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