Key Information for Travelers to Malaysia.
Dear Friends of Malaysia,
As the Covid-19 cases reported in Malaysia continue to dwindle in several states, the government had informed its decision to lift the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and only impose restrictions in targeted areas where Covid-19 cases are high.
The announcement was made by the Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who clarified that the decision was made taking into consideration of the expected GDP loss that will be borne by Malaysia if CMCO is continued indiscriminately. The estimated RM300 million loss a day will further debilitate the country’s economy in the labour market and household spending, investment uncertainty, permanent job loss, business closure and other effects, whether the effects are direct or indirect.
He said that the CMCO will be lifted off in the following areas:
However, the CMCO will be extended until 20 December 2020 in the following areas due to the high Covid-19 cases:
Beginning December 7, there will be no more inter-district and inter-state travel restrictions except for EMCO areas. Therefore, no more roadblocks will be placed at state borders and police permission will no longer be required for interstate or inter-district travel throughout the country.
He added that there will no longer be a limit to the number of passengers in vehicles, as the number of persons will only be subject to the vehicle’s normal seating capacity.
The full list of the status of restrictions is as follows:
From Dec 6 – 19
From Dec 7 – 20
Until Dec 31, 2020
In addition, the Senior Minister also announced that certain rules will be relaxed in Sabah even though CMCO will continue to be implemented in the state.
Restaurants, food stalls and convenience stores will be allowed to operate from 6am to midnight, the limit in passenger numbers from the same households in private vehicles will be lifted and express busses, tour buses and trains that cross districts will be allowed to operate at half capacity.
Scuba diving activities are also allowed at half capacity for boats carrying divers to dive sites. In addition, tourism activities too are allowed at limited capacities following the SOPs by the state government.
As for restrictions in movements, Malaysians, permanent resident card holders (MyPR), temporary resident card holders (MyKAS), spouses and dependents of Sabahans, foreigners with long-term immigration passes are allowed to enter Sabah for social visits. However, swab tests must be done three days before travelling. Police permission is no longer required to exit Sabah or for interstate travel within Sabah. Meanwhile, foreigners without long-term immigration passes must get the Sabah government’s approval.
Despite the good news, let us continue to be vigilant in our fight against Covid-19. Today, we celebrated the recovery of 1,143 more cases compared to the 1,123 new Covid-19 cases reported.
Currently, the number of active cases in Malaysia stands at 10,775 cases. Out of the total 71,359 cases reported in Malaysia, 60,204 patients had recovered and had been discharged.
