Malaysia to relax most of its COVID-19 rules from May 1

Malaysia will lift most of its COVID-19 measures, such as the removal of the mask mandate and COVID-19 testing for in-bound travellers, from May 1.

The relaxing of measures follows the decline in hospitalisation rates and demand for intensive care beds, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Wednesday (Apr 27).

Wearing masks outdoors is now optional. However, the wearing of masks is still required indoors, such as in shopping malls and on public transportation. 

COVID-19 testing procedures for in-bound travellers will also no longer be needed too. 

Pre-departure and on arrival testing protocols will be scrapped for travellers who are vaccinated, have recovered from a COVID-19 infection six to 60 days before their date of departure, and travellers aged 12 and below.

Foreigners will also no longer be required to have COVID-19 insurance when entering Malaysia.

The restrictions on unvaccinated individuals will also be lifted, as they will be allowed to dine-out and enter shopping malls from May 1. 

Such premises will no longer need visitors to check-in using the MySejahtera app, a contact tracing app similar to Singapore’s TraceTogether. 

In light of the festive season, visiting and open houses for Hari Raya will be permitted, with no cap on the number of visitors per household, a major change from the initial 15 pax limit during last year’s celebrations. 

Nightlife activities will also resume for the first time from May 15, after being barred from the first movement control order in 2020.

“This freedom does not mean we have won the war against COVID-19. We must ensure the festivities do not end in disaster. Even if we are asymptomatic, we may be carriers of the COVID-19 virus,” said Mr Khairy Jamaluddin. 

He also encouraged the public to regularly self-test themselves for COVID-19 before attending Hari Raya celebrations to prevent the spread of the virus.