International students and foreign workers from countries classified as having a high risk of COVID-19 omicron variant infections will be denied entry to Malaysia, Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin has announced.
It has been emphasized in a press conference that the Health Ministry will compile a list of nations recognized as having a high risk of omicron variant illnesses for distribution to relevant organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- International students and foreign workers from countries with a high risk of COVID-19 omicron variant infections would be denied entry to Malaysia.
- COVID-19 cases, involving the omicron strain of concern, had been recorded in 20 countries as of Nov. 30.
- Malaysians were previously restricted from traveling to seven nations after the advent of the novel coronavirus strain.
As of Nov. 30, 20 countries had reported COVID-19 cases, including the omicron variant of concern.
Following the introduction of the novel coronavirus strain, Malaysians were previously barred from traveling to seven countries: South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. As of Dec. 1, only Malawi has been added to the list.
Non-Malaysian travelers from countries that have reported omicron transmission, high-risk nations where omicron transmission has occurred, such as those listed, or travelers who have a history of travel to those countries 14 days before arrival are subject to the interim travel restrictions.
Meanwhile, Malaysians and those possessing long-term permits such as permanent resident status, spouse visas, Malaysia My Second Home program (MM2H), and residence passes have no entry limitations.
However, regardless of their vaccination status, they would be obliged to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
They will also be subjected to an RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to traveling, as well as after arrival at the international travel gates and on the 10th day of quarantine.
On the 14th day of quarantine, a risk assessment will be undertaken, and the isolation period will be extended if symptoms are present.
Malaysians who intend to travel to countries where omicron transmission has been reported or to high-risk countries would be denied entry.
Before placing the nations on the travel restriction list, officials considered whether the omicron variant cases were imported or community transmission cases.
Following potential community transmission reports involving the omicron strain, the government was considering imposing temporary travel restrictions on the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia.
After completing a risk assessment, the government is still gathering further information on the status of cases in those nations.
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