On Thursday (Sept 3), Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has informed that the government of Malaysia has decided to impose the entry ban from September 7 on citizens from those countries where more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases have recorded.

He stated in press release, “We will add more countries deemed high-risk, which have more than 150,000 positive cases, into the list. Their citizens will be barred from entering into Malaysia.”

However, for emergencies or situations that involve bilateral relations, for example foreign travelers need to attend the meetings between countries then they will be allowed to enter into Malaysia. But they required asking the permission from the immigration department.

The decision was made on the advice of the Ministry of Health, which believes that the ban on entry will be an effective way to limit the spread of the COVID-19 in the community caused by imported cases.

The minister has said that the countries on the list include Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Ministry of Health will release more detailed information about countries that have recorded more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases in the future.

On Tuesday (Sept 1), Malaysia announced on Tuesday that long-term pass holders who are citizens of India, Indonesia and the Philippines will not be allowed to enter into the country from September 7.

This entry restriction will be applied to permanent residents, expatriates of all categories, holders of Malaysia My Second Home passes, students, holders of resident passes and spouse visas who are citizens of their respective countries.

The government will allow Malaysian citizens to return from high-risk countries. They will be subject to a mandatory quarantine for 14 days at isolation center or at their home as required by the country’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).

In regard to COVID-19 transmission in Malaysia, the country has reported a total number of 9,385 confirmed cases which are under treatment and 128 deaths caused by the virus. However, 9,092 patients who tested positive to COVID-19 have completely recovered from the virus, as of Friday (Sept 4).