NRC Plans To Fully Reopen Malaysia's International Borders On 1 March

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for our latest stories and breaking news.

However, NRC chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said travellers must undergo a COVID-19 test before departure and upon arrival into the country, as per recommendations by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

"The reopening of international borders needs to be implemented in a planned manner and based on current risk assessments," he told the media after chairing an NRC meeting today, 8 February, as quoted by New Straits Times.

"By doing so, the country's recovery process will be accelerated, where the investors can come, international tourists can visit, and subsequently revive our tourism and aviation industries," he said.

He said the matter was raised by Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud during the meeting.

Malaysia's borders have remained largely closed since March 2020, when the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed. Exemptions have only been made for students, Malaysians returning from abroad, permanent residents, and businessmen.

He said, as Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has also told the meeting, that it was difficult to ban only certain countries since the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected throughout the world.

"As such, we cannot be selective by allowing only selected countries."

Muhyiddin said should the government agree with the suggestion by the council, full details and standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the border reopening will be announced by the MOH soon.