Ismail Sabri: Malaysia's Borders To Open This 1 April
The Prime Minister said the country will transition into the endemic phase beginning next month.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 08 Mar 2022, 07:08 PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today, 8 March, that Malaysia's borders will reopen on 1 April
"With this, Malaysian citizens with valid travel documents can enter and leave the country as they did before the pandemic," he said in a press conference in Parliament this evening.
He said international travellers will no longer be required to apply for MyTravelPass, as the implementation will be abolished.
"We believe that our tourism sector, which has been affected by this closure, will be able to operate fully once again," he said.
From left to right: Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Image via Buletin TV3 (Facebook)Ismail Sabri said that visitors or Malaysian returnees, who are fully vaccinated, do not need to undergo quarantine upon arrival
However, they must undergo a RT-PCR test two days before departure and be subjected to a professional RTK-antigen test 24 hours upon arrival.
"The Health Minister will announce further details tomorrow, with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will also be revealed soon," Ismail Sabri added.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also announced a handful of new COVID-19 protocols that will take effect on 1 April
The new SOPs include:
– Eateries will be allowed to operate past midnight, depending on their licenses.
– Vaccination is no longer a requirement for inter-state travel or work.
– No more 50% capacity limit for event venues.
– No more physical distancing requirement for religious events.
With that said, people in Malaysia still have to wear face masks and check in at premises with MySejahtera.
Ismail Sabri also said that while the number of COVID-19 cases remains high, hospitalisation rates remain under control and Malaysia has a high rate of vaccination.
The Star reported that 99% of the recent cases are mild or asymptomatic.
