PUTRAJAYA, October 22 – Taking into account the current risk assessment carried out by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the National Security Council (NSC), the COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee today agreed to transition the VAT Phase for the following states starting 25 October 2021, Johor and Terengganu: Moving from Phase 3 to Phase 4. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for states entering Phase 4 are the same as before. The latest SOP information will be updated by MKN on the official website www.mkn.gov.my.
The National COVID-19 Immunization Plan (PICK) for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years has officially started on September 20, 2021. As of yesterday, October 21, 2021, 11:59 pm, the first dose vaccination rate for adolescents has reached 80.2% or the equivalent of 2,524,156 individuals. This rate is among the fastest in the world. The COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee today agreed that the complete vaccination facility for adults is currently also extended to adolescents who have been fully vaccinated. This means, complete vaccination requirements for adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 years will be stated in all SOPs.
However, it will not be implemented immediately. The Government will coordinate the relevant facilities and give teenagers a ‘grace period’ for 3 weeks or until mid-November. This period is to ensure that about 80% of adolescents who have received their first dose at this time, have been fully vaccinated. The COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee today also agreed with the proposed SOP tabled by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) on the International Tourism Bubble (Inbound) for the Langkawi Island Pilot Project. Accordingly, for international tourists who wish to take advantage of this international tourism bubble must meet the conditions and comply with the SOPs that have been set as follows:
A. Pre -release
i. Target groups
– High yield tourists
– Individuals who have been fully vaccinated
– Children under the age of 18 must be present with the mother father/guardian of each who has been fully vaccinated
– List of countries allowed subject to the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM)/Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM)/Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN)
ii. Period of Stay
– At least 3 days
– No quarantine conditions apply (applies to Bubbles Langkawi International Tourism only)
iii. COVID-19 PCR-RT test
– 72 hours before departure
– Mandatory in digital / printed form
iv. Insurance
– Min US $ 80,000
v. Travel services
– Mandatory (tour operator licensed under MOTAC
vi. Passport & Visa Health Declaration Form LoU and Indemnity
– Mandatory
vii. MySejahtera application
– Upload and register before departure
B. Arrival and Accommodation
i. Through KLIA
– Rapid Molecular Testing (1 hour 30 minutes).
– Or continue to Langkawi (compulsory RT-PCR COVID-19 test on the day second).
– If positive, will continue to be taken to isolation center / quarantine / private hospital (according to Category).
ii. Tourist Guide
– 1 TG in a tour group (maximum 20 people).
iii. COVID-19 PCR-RT test
– If traveling for 3 days, the screening test on the second day is sufficient (can be used for departure back to the country of origin).
– If traveling for more than 5 days, it is mandatory to do a screening test on the fifth day.
– ALL costs are borne by the tourist.
C. Pre -Separture Return To The Country of Origin
i. COVID-19 PCR-RT test
– 72 hours before departure.
– If traveling for 3 days, screening test on the second day can be used for departure back to the country of origin.
D. Pilot Project
– Will be conducted for 3 months for MOH and NSC to evaluate its effectiveness before being implemented in resort islands and other tourist areas.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee today agreed with the proposed SOP for the entry of foreign workers into Malaysia, especially to meet the needs of the plantation sector as presented by the Ministry of Human Resources (KSM). These SOPs will be enforced in all designated sectors and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Foreign Workers Committee co-chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Human Resources.
The Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting today also approved the SOP on the entry of foreign workers into the country. Meanwhile, quotas and dates the entry of foreign workers for other employment sectors is subject to the decision of the Joint Meeting of the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Human Resources. The SOP for the admission of foreign workers is as follows:
A. Pre -Release
i. Has received a complete vaccination in the source country (certified by the World Health Organization (WHO))
ii. Perform a screening test using RT-PCR 72 hours before leaving the country of origin
iii. Submit vaccination certificate
iv. Comply with immigration conditions and policies as well as other set criteria by the Government
B. Upon Arrival
i. Only through one entrance, namely Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 1 and KLIA 2 only (except foreign workers from Thailand – crews of local fishing vessels via land routes such as Bukit Kayu Hitam, Wang Kelian, Betong and Rantau Panjang).
ii. Dealing with representatives of employers and relevant Government Agencies (Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), Regulatory Agencies and others)
iii. Special Lane entry of foreign workers.
iv. Diplomatic Representative of the source country (optional)
C. After Arrival (Quarantine Period)
i. The quarantine period is coordinated with the MOH (compulsory quarantine period is 7 days)
ii. Government -certified Quarantine Centers around the Klang Valley only (except for Thai Foreign Workers who work as the crew of a local fishing vessel that will use Quarantine Center adjacent to the entrance)
iii. RT-PCR test on the second and 5th day of the quarantine period
iv. If positive, category 1 or 2 cases should be isolated in private PKRCs, while category 3, 4 and 5 cases should be referred to private hospitals;
D. Post Quarantine
i. Upon completion of quarantine and confirmed negative, foreign workers will be taken to the employer’s premises
ii. Transportation is provided by the employer
iii. FOMEMA affairs
iv. Foreign workers must comply with the SOPs set by the employer
The government calls on the people to take full advantage of these concessions with full discipline and a sense of responsibility. The success of bringing the country out of this pandemic does not only depend on the efforts and strategies of the government alone. On the other hand, it is also highly dependent on the level of compliance of the community to the SOPs that have been set. Therefore, wear a face mask, practice physical imprisonment and always maintain personal hygiene and safety.
