Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has announced new Covid-19 SOP relaxations at a press conference today, which will take effect beginning 1 May 2022.
One of the key SOP relaxations in his announcement includes optional mask-wearing in outdoor settings. However, face masks must still be worn indoors and in public transport (including e-hailing services), except for certain situations such as eating, exercising alone, or when giving a speech or performing on stage.
Mask-wearing is still mandatory indoors from 1 May 2022. However, it is optional outdoors. It is still encouraged when in crowded places and for high-risk individuals. pic.twitter.com/5QaO18Vsn3
— KKMalaysia (@KKMPutrajaya) April 27, 2022
“The health ministry encourages the wearing of face masks outdoors, particularly when in crowded areas like bazaars and stadiums, for symptomatic individuals and also for high-risk individuals,” Khairy said.
The Ministry of Health added that entry to premises will also be permitted regardless of vaccination status. However, Covid-19 positive cases and those under Home Surveillance Order (HSO) are still prohibited from entering premises. Although MySejahtera check-in will no longer be mandatory, premise owners are still required to check visitors’ risk status on MySejahtera despite the leniency.
Here are the new Covid-19 SOPs in Malaysia effective from May 1 2022:
MASKS
- Mandatory only in indoor settings and public transportation
- Optional in outdoor settings, but encouraged in crowded areas and for high-risk individuals
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
- No longer required
- Encouraged when not wearing a mask
MYSEJAHTERA CHECK-IN AND VACCINATION STATUS
- Check-in is no longer required
- Entry to premises allowed regardless of vaccination status, except for those with ‘High Risk” status or under Home Surveillance Order (HSO)
From 1 May 2022, COVID-19 positive cases may be released from quarantine earlier if they tested negative on Day-4. pic.twitter.com/UT1COKwEME
— KKMalaysia (@KKMPutrajaya) April 27, 2022
COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENTS (TEST AND RELEASE)
- Default quarantine is seven days
- Optional supervised RTK-Ag test may be taken on the 4th day. If negative, the patient may be released from quarantine. If still positive, the patient must continue to isolate until the 7th day
NEGATIVE LIST
- The National Security Council’s negative list (banned activities such as nightclub activities) is no longer applicable. All economic sectors may operate from 15 May 2022
Pre-departure and on-arrival tests are no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Malaysia from 1 May 2022. pic.twitter.com/3jAvkzYNY1
— KKMalaysia (@KKMPutrajaya) April 27, 2022
TRAVEL
- Fully vaccinated travellers and children aged 12 and below are exempted from pre-departure and on-arrival tests
- Partially-vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers are still required to take the RT-PCR test within two days before departure and a supervised RTK-Ag test within 24 hours on arrival. They will also need to self-isolate for five days
- Covid-19 insurance is no longer required for all travellers entering Malaysia
From 1 May 2022, COVID-19 positive cases may be released from quarantine earlier if they tested negative on Day-4. pic.twitter.com/UT1COKwEME
— KKMalaysia(@KKMPutrajaya) April 27, 2022
The news comes after Khairy previously teased that several SOP relaxations will be announced by MOH today. This follows Malaysia’s transition to the endemic phase, which began on 1 April 2022.
What do you think of this announcement?
| SHARE THE STORY | |
| Explore More |
