KUALA LUMPUR (April 27): In line with the transition to the endemic phase, the government has announced that Covid-19 positive individuals can be released from the home surveillance order (HSO) on day four of quarantine if they tested negative.
The current protocol is that individuals who test positive are required to undergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine period.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that from May 1, Covid-19 positive individuals can on their fourth day of quarantine take an RTK-Antigen test and be released if the result comes out negative.
He said the test must be supervised physically or virtually by a medical practitioner certified by the Malaysian Medical Council, adding that if the result comes out positive, the affected individuals must complete the seven-day isolation period.
“The test results must be entered into the e-Covid system by the medical practitioner to ensure data integration with MySejahtera can happen in less than an hour, so that the individual immediately gets an order of release from isolation upon detection of the negative test result.
Khairy said that if the individual does not opt for the RTK-Antigen test, the protocol will be as before and clearance from quarantine will be granted automatically after seven days.
Covid-19 tests no longer required for vaccinated travellers
Khairy also announced that from May 1, certain categories of travellers, including fully vaccinated travellers aged 13 years and above, will no longer be required to do a Covid-19 test before departing to Malaysia and also upon arrival.
He said this also applies to travellers who have recovered from Covid-19 six to 60 days prior to departure, as well as travellers who are aged 12 and under, regardless of vaccination status.
Meanwhile, the minister said travellers with an incomplete Covid-19 vaccination status or who have not been vaccinated are still required to perform a Covid-19 RT-PCR or RTK-Antigen test, two days prior to departure, as well as complete a supervised RTK-Antigen test within 24 hours upon arrival.
He added that they must also undergo a five-day quarantine and do an RT-PCR test on the fourth day or an RTK-Antigen test on the fifth day.
“The same policy will apply to all categories of travellers, including those going to perform umrah, haj, and foreign workers. Umrah and haj travellers are required to get a booster dose before they depart,” he said.
Additionally, Khairy added that non-Malaysian travellers will no longer be required to have Covid-19 insurance to enter the country.