Location: Malaysia
Event: Health Alert – COVID-19
The Ministry of Health in Malaysia announced today that one U.S. citizen who was a passenger aboard the Westerdam ship docked in Cambodia tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Malaysia to 22.
The Government of Malaysia confirmed that no additional passengers from the Westerdam will be allowed entry into Malaysia. All travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Travelers may be subject to screening and possible quarantine if symptoms are presented.
Additional information regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found at the Centers for Disease Control’s website. Information regarding COVID-19 in Malaysia can be found at the Ministry of Health’s website.
Information regarding current U.S. travel restrictions is repeated below:
U.S. citizens are reminded that the United States imposed travel restrictions and quarantines on individuals traveling from China. Foreign nationals who have visited China within 14 days of seeking admission to the United States will be denied entry, with the exception of lawful permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and certain others. Read the Presidential Proclamation.
U.S. citizens who have visited China 14 days before reentry to the United States will face a mandatory quarantine, while citizens returning from other parts of mainland China will face advanced screening and a self-imposed quarantine to monitor their health. U.S. permanent residents, immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents and others exempted from the entry ban are also expected to be subject to quarantine.
Actions to Take:
- Avoid all nonessential travel to China.
- Check with the airlines regarding any flight cancellations and/or restrictions on flying.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- If you traveled to China and feel sick, or were exposed to someone who was in China in the last six weeks who has fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the CDC website.
- U.S. citizens are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
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- Phone number: +603-2168-5000
- Email address: KLACS@state.gov
- Embassy website: https://my.usembassy.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- Malaysia Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
- Alerts and Messages: https://my.usembassy.gov/category/alert/
- Embassy Kuala Lumpur main page: https://my.usembassy.gov/
- News & Events portion of Embassy website: https://my.usembassy.gov/category/news/