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COVID-19 Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (May 11, 2020)
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25 MINUTE READ
May 11, 2020

Health Alert  –  U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Location:  Malaysia

 Event:  COVID-19

Please share this information with other U.S. citizens who may not be registered for these alerts.

 

Global Health AdvisoryInternational commercial flight options currently exist in Malaysia.  U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Malaysia at this time.

On May 10, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) has been extended until June 9, 2020.

Consular Services

Please note that all routine Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur remain suspended.  Routine American Citizen Services, including passports, consular reports of birth abroad, and notarial services, are suspended until further notice.  Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services are also suspended worldwide.  We will resume routine consular services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.

If you are a U.S. citizen with an emergency, you may reach us at +60-3-2168-5000 or via email at: KLACS@state.gov.

We will announce the resumption of services via alerts to registered U.S. citizens in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and on our Embassy’s website.

Malaysian Immigration Services

On May 10, the Prime Minister announced the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will continue through June 9.  During the CMCO, the Government of Malaysia will open limited immigration services.

If you are a U.S. Citizen with immigration questions regarding your current status or permission to stay in Malaysia, please refer to the Malaysian Department of Immigration directly regarding your particular situation.  U.S. Citizens with specific questions or concerns may also contact the Malaysian Government call center (MyCGG) at 03-8000-8000.

During the CMCO, Malaysian Immigration services will resume by appointment only – no walk-ins are permitted.  Immigration has informed the U.S. Embassy that their online appointment system cannot be used by those seeking to extend 90-day social visit (tourist) passes, and Malaysian Immigration strongly encourages all social visit pass holders whose passes have expired to depart Malaysia as soon as possible.  U.S. citizens whose passes expired after January 1, 2020 may depart Malaysia within 14 working days after the CMCO period ends on June 9, 2020 without undergoing any Immigration processing or penalties.

Facilitation for passes that have expired after February 1, 2020 can be done within 30 working days after the CMCO period ends (June 9, 2020) at immigration offices nationwide.

We understand that Malaysian Immigration is experiencing a high call volume and U.S. citizens have reported difficulty accessing scheduling websites and that many appointment slots are full.  Please be patient as Malaysian Immigration is experiencing a high demand for its services and is implementing procedures to promote social distancing.  The U.S. Embassy cannot make appointments with the Malaysian Department of Immigration on your behalf.

The U.S. Embassy is aware of an Immigration press statement indicating that foreigners with expired visas who choose not depart Malaysia within 14 working days after the end of the CMCO should obtain proof from their respective embassies regarding their justification for not being able to leave the country, or else face Immigration enforcement action.

While the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a Malaysian visa, we are issuing letters that ask Malaysian Immigration to consider the COVID-19 pandemic and our advice to avoid all international travel.  The U.S. Embassy CANNOT certify or validate your specific or personal justification for remaining in Malaysia and reminds U.S. citizens that permission to enter and remain in Malaysia is at the decision and discretion of the Malaysian Immigration Department.

If you require such a letter, you may request one from the U.S. Embassy by completing this form.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur encourages all citizens with visas that have expired during the MCO/CMCO to depart Malaysia as soon as possible to be in compliance with Immigration requirements.

Travel Letter from the U.S. Embassy 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  U.S. citizens and Foreign Nationals traveling to the United States who wish to depart Malaysia during the Conditional Movement Control Order MUST have a letter from the U.S. Embassy.

Action Needed to Depart Malaysia Under the CMCO:

Foreign citizens, including U.S. citizens, may depart Malaysia during the CMCO.  However, the Malaysian authorities require that foreign citizens obtain all of the following documents prior to departure and bring them to the airport:

  1. Valid travel documents including passport and airline ticket;
  2. Written concurrence from your respective Diplomatic Mission (see below); and
  3. Written movement permit from the nearest Police Station or police stamp/signature on Embassy travel letter (IF REQUIRED, see guidance below):
    • Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Klang Valley:  DO NOT NEED the written movement permit from the nearest police station.
    • Outside of Klang Valley and traveling interstate to the airport by land (car, bus, train, etc.) MUST OBTAIN the written movement permit from the nearest police station.
    • Outside of Klang Valley and traveling to KLIA by air DO NOT NEED to the written movement permit from the nearest police station.
    • Any questions regarding the written movement permit should be directed to your nearest police station.

 The U.S. Embassy can provide a travel letter to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals traveling to the United States who plan to depart Malaysia during the CMCO to satisfy the second requirement above. To request a travel letter, please complete this form.

Conditional Movement Control Order and Mandatory Quarantine

The Malaysian government extended the CMCO through June 9, 2020, though this end date may be extended again at the discretion of the Malaysian government.  All foreign nationals, with very limited exceptions, are restricted from entry to Malaysia during this time.  Any travelers permitted to enter Malaysia during the CMCO will be subject to COVID-19 testing and a mandatory fourteen-day quarantine.  Travelers will be transported directly from the airport to a quarantine facility by Malaysian authorities. Foreign nationals, including Malaysian permanent residents, will be required to cover the costs of this quarantine, which will be a minimum of RM150/day.  For additional information on quarantine requirements and costs, please contact the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

Foreign nationals may transit through the international terminals of Malaysian airports but may not pass through Immigration.  The CMCO prohibits all individuals – Malaysian citizens and foreign nationals – from movement and mass assembly within Malaysia.  U.S. citizens may be subject to temperature screening at workplaces, grocery stores, or at police checkpoints.  U.S. citizens should avoid crowded areas, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.  U.S. citizens should carry a copy of their passport and visa with them at all times.  U.S. citizens are subject to local laws and regulations while visiting or living in Malaysia.

Malaysia COVID-19 Information

Malaysia has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country.  For more information regarding COVID-statistics in Malaysia, please review the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Portal and visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.

Commercial Flight Availability and Travel Restrictions

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.

Very limited commercial flights remain an option for U.S. citizens wishing to depart Malaysia.  Many airlines have cancelled international flights and several transit countries have set up new quarantine restrictions or have barred international transit altogether.  Please note that flight schedules are likely to change with little advance notice.   Limited domestic flights continue to operate in Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.

The U.S. Embassy is unable to book airline tickets on your behalf.  Please continue to reach out to airlines and utilize commercial websites to book or change your tickets.  We encourage you to look at all flight options flying into the United States, regardless of whether the flight is going to your final destination; it may be necessary to book a second ticket onward. We will post any alerts and updates on the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia on our Embassy’s webpage on COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 – Avoid Non-Essential Travel– Notice for Malaysia.  The State Department has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.

Countries around the world are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.  Any U.S. citizen returning home should be prepared for additional travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  Travelers should closely monitor the situation in Malaysia and other transit countries before travel.

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