International tourists who have had enough Covid-19 vaccines to enter Malaysia do not need to be isolated from the beginning of next month.
Malaysia will fully open its borders and begin the transition to the stage where Covid-19 is considered an endemic disease, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced when speaking on national television on March 8.
International arrivals only need to bring a negative PCR certificate taken within 48 hours prior to departure. They can also use rapid test results within 24 hours of entry, to be allowed to travel around Malaysia.
Malaysia considers Covid-19 to be an endemic disease, and decided to completely open its borders to international visitors, many restrictions were removed. Photo: Reuters
The decision to open the door was made thanks to the success of the Covid-19 vaccination program. In addition to the isolation exemption from April 1, this country also eased a number of restrictions and regulations on social distancing to contribute to bringing life back to normal. Restaurants operate past 12 midnight and remove the 50% capacity limit. The regulation of wearing masks in public places is still in effect.
Malaysian citizens banned from leaving the country for more than a year can resume international travel. Since March 2020, the country has closed its borders and maintained tight entry restrictions to prevent an outbreak of the disease. Most foreigners are barred from entering, except for essential cases, and repatriated Malaysians are forced to quarantine.
More and more Asian countries are exempt from quarantine for international visitors, after more than two years of fighting Covid-19. From March 14, Bali, Indonesia officially exempted international visitors from entering the country and issued visas at the border for international visitors from 23 countries.
On March 4, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that Vietnamese customers can apply for a vaccine passport (VTP) online from 9am on March 13. Short-term visitors who are eligible under the Vaccine Travel Lane (VTL) category must apply for a VTP to enter from March 16, without needing to be quarantined.
On February 28, the UAE government announced that all fully vaccinated international guests do not need to present a negative PCR test upon arrival in Dubai. Those who have not been vaccinated can enter the country, but must have a negative PCR result 48 hours before departure, or a certificate of recovery from Covid-19.
