KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 – Prime Minister of Malaysia Ismail Sabri announce that the Government of Malaysia will begin our transition into endemic on the 1st of April 2022 as in recent weeks, the number of daily cases of COVID-19 has increased dramatically as a result of Omicron waves. However, the number categorized as Category 3, 4 and 5 patients is very low at 0.7 percent. The number of COVID-19 patients who need to seek treatment and monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is also under control at the moment at a rate of 42 percent use.
At the same time, most Malaysian Family members have received complete vaccinations as well as booster doses through vaccination programs, especially the National COVID-19 Immunization Program (PICK), PICK Adolescent and PICKids. As of March 7, 2022, the complete vaccination rate for the adult population in the country was 98.7 percent; while the booster dose vaccination rate for the adult population was 64 percent.
Overall, the plan to reopen the country safely and in stages or ReopeningSafely which is being undertaken by the Government, especially through the Quartet Minister, namely the Senior Minister of Defense, YB Dato ‘Seri Hishammuddin Hussein; Minister of Health, YB Khairy Jamaluddin; Minister of Finance, YB Tengku Zafrul; as well as the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Tan Sri Annuar Musa is still running smoothly.
In this regard, after taking into account various factors, conducting risk assessment, obtaining the views of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and examining the recommendations from the Quartet Minister, today I would like to announce that the country will enter the ‘Transition to Endemic’ Phase starting April 1, 2022.
It is important for me to inform you, this ‘Transition to Endemic’ Phase is an exit strategy to allow us all to return to a near-normal life after almost two years of fighting with COVID-19. This phase is also a temporary phase before the country moves into the Endemic Phase which is subject to announcements that can only be made by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Starting April 1, 2022:
i. The wearing of face masks in public places is still mandatory for every individual.
ii. Operating hours for business premises have been abolished. Premises owners are allowed to perform the operating hours of their respective premises in accordance with the conditions of the premises operating license. This means you can all eat at the eatery after 12 midnight, especially with the month of Ramadan coming up soon. Let’s have sahur outside.
iii. Admission registration using MySejahtera is still mandatory and only exempted for open areas, not crowded and no public gatherings. In addition, MYSJTrace is required for indoor areas that are full of guests/visitors.
iv. Congregational prayer activities in mosques/suraus or prayer ceremonies in houses of worship other than Islam can be performed without physical imprisonment. However, the implementation and final SOP for mosques/suraus are subject to the ruling of the State Religious Authority and for Non-Muslim Houses of Worship are subject to the Ministry of Unity Malaysia/Other Religious Affairs Unit (UNIFOR).
v. Vaccination requirements:
- Employee capacity limits previously dependent on vaccination coverage was abolished.
- All individuals are allowed across the state regardless their vaccination status.
Previously, there was a 50 per cent capacity limit for activities involving large groups. With the announcement of the transition to endemic, the limit will be completely abolished. There is no longer a 50 percent capacity limit. However, physical incarceration is very important and is still encouraged.
B. OPENING OF NATIONAL BORDERS
The ‘Transition to Endemic’ phase is the opening of national borders. Therefore, in line with the plan to enter the Phase on April 1, 2022, the Government has decided that the country’s borders will also be reopened on April 1.
I believe, this is one of the most anticipated big announcements by the people. The announcement will also revive the country’s economy as a whole, especially the tourism industry, which has been severely affected by the pandemic.
This decision was made based on three basic factors:
a. First, it is based on the latest science and facts related to COVID-19
b. Second, compare border opening requirements in other countries
c. Third, provide comfort to travelers and do not complicate their journey. Most importantly, Malaysia is now an open destination and accessible to all.
With the reopening of the country’s borders, Malaysians with valid travel documents can now enter and leave the country as usual and are allowed to go to any country that also opens its border gates to foreign travelers.
At the same time, foreign nationals with valid travel documents can also move in and out of Malaysia without having to apply for MyTravelPass which will be abolished. Instead, just download and activate the MySejahtera application and complete the Pre-Departure Form through the “Traveler” function in MySejahtera.
However, taking into account the situation of COVID-19 transmission, especially the Omicron wave that is still plaguing our country and most countries around the world, there are some procedures that must be followed either by Malaysians themselves or foreign travelers who want to enter Malaysia.
For those who have received a complete vaccination, there is no need to undergo any quarantine period and only need to go through the COVID-19 RT-PCR detection test two days before departure as well as the RTK-Ag (professional) test within 24 hours of arrival.
For other vaccination status such as not receiving vaccine for medical reasons and not receiving any vaccination, the Minister of Health will detail the procedure for public information tomorrow.
The relevant ministries will also issue a list of SOPs for the opening of the country’s borders in more detail in the near future, especially in relation to the procedures at the International Gateway (PMA) on land and sea.
In the meantime, I would also like to inform, for countries that are still closing their border gates, the people can still take advantage of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) method that has been agreed by the Malaysian Government with the countries involved.
As many are aware, for now VTL has been leveraging with Singapore since last year. In the near future, as I announced recently, VTL will also be utilized to implement inbound and outbound movements between Malaysia-Thailand, Malaysia-Brunei and Malaysia-Indonesia.
It is hoped that the people who want to take advantage of the opening of the country’s borders can implement it in accordance with the guidelines set for the safety of themselves, the people around and the country as a whole.
On behalf of the Government, I express my highest appreciation to all members of the Malaysian Family who are resilient, tenacious, strong-willed and disciplined in complying with the SOPs and supporting every Government initiative in combating COVID-19. Without the contribution of the Malaysian Family, the country will not be able to move into the ‘Transition to Endemic’ Phase.
I also thank all the Ministers of the COVID-19 Quartet led by YB Dato ‘Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for their hard work to ensure that the country’s efforts for Reopening Safely, especially to move into the’ Transition to Endemic ‘Phase, can be implemented according to plan. Details of the transition phase to endemic and border opening will be informed by the quartet ministers in the near future.
