U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Health Alert
Event: COVID-19
Location: Malaysia
Recovery/Conditional/Enhanced Movement Control Orders
(UPDATED) On January 11, 2021, the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced the implementation of a Movement Control Order from January 13 (12:01 am) until January 26 in the following states: Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Melaka, Johor, and Sabah (the “MCO Areas”). Full Standard Operating Procedures (“SOPs”) have not yet been released, but early guidance from the Malaysian authorities suggests that the following restrictions will be implemented within the MCO Areas:
- Prohibition on interstate and inter-district travel;
- Vehicular movement is limited to a 10-km radius from a person’s home; a maximum of two people per household are permitted to travel in the same vehicle at any one time for the purpose of buying essential items;
- Roadblocks will be implemented;
- Recreational activities are allowed outdoors and only among members of the same household; jogging is limited to two individuals at a time; cyclists are not allowed to ride in groups; group sports are prohibited;
- Supermarkets, healthcare services, and banks will operate;
- Social gatherings of any kind, including meetings, seminars, conferences and training are prohibited;
- Religious gatherings are limited to a maximum of five at places of worship;
- Restaurants and food stalls will operate for take-away and delivery only.
The SOPs for MCOs in force earlier this year required foreign nationals traveling across district or state borders to present a police authorization and, during certain periods, an Embassy travel letter. We do not yet have confirmation whether police authorization and/or Embassy travel letters will be required for inter-district or interstate travel during this MCO. If you are considering traveling across state or district borders, please consult with local police directly for specific guidance.
In addition, the Prime Minister announced the implementation of a Conditional Movement Control Order from January 13 (12:01 am) until January 26 in the following states: Pahang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan (the “CMCO Areas”). Full SOPs have not been released, but early guidance from the Malaysian Authorities suggests the following restrictions will be implemented within the CMCO Areas:
- Prohibition on interstate travel;
- Social gatherings of any kind, including meetings, seminars, conferences and training are prohibited;
- Religious activities are permitted in accordance with SOPs to ensure physical distancing.
The entire country remains under a “Recovery Movement Control Order” (RMCO) through March 31, 2021.
The Malaysian Ministry of Defense instituted a mandatory mask requirement effective August 1, 2020. Failure to comply with any of the MCO, CMCO or RMCO restrictions, including the mask requirement, may result in a fine of RM 1,000 (USD $235) or more, and/or jail time.
The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to review current MCO, CMCO, and RMCO restrictions frequently to ensure compliance. Restrictions may be changed with little notice and are strictly enforced. Give yourself a healthy margin of time to return home prior to applicable curfews. Carry your U.S. passport with you at all times. If detained, request that local authorities notify the Embassy (+60-3-2168-5000), and review the ways in which we can provide assistance when a U.S. citizen is arrested abroad. For additional questions on current MCO restrictions, please check with local police directly.
(UPDATED) American Citizen Services
American Citizen Services consular appointments that have already been scheduled during the MCO period will not be canceled. We continue to allow collection of U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Births Abroad during the scheduled times indicated in our pick-up confirmation email. However, please note that depending on your location, Malaysian police authorization may be required to travel to the Embassy as interstate and inter-district travel are restricted during the MCO. Please reach out to your local police directly for additional information on the requirements for interstate or inter-district travel.
If you are a U.S. citizen with a life or death emergency (e.g. victim of a violent crime, arrest, reporting a death of a U.S. citizen) you may reach us at +60-3-2168-5000 or via email at: KLACS@state.gov.
Please note that most routine Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur remain suspended due to the MCO in effect in Kuala Lumpur. Please complete this form https://bit.ly/2SPVSFf to request an emergency appointment, making sure to note the nature of your emergency.
We will announce further 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 Information
The Malaysian authorities have updated the U.S. Embassy that foreign nationals with expired social visit passes currently in Malaysia may leave Malaysia within 14 working days after the end of the RMCO without having to apply or obtain prior approval or any special extension pass. This guidance replaces the previous guidance received from the Malaysian authorities on December 31, 2020, which stated that holders of expired social visit passes must obtain a special pass to remain in or depart Malaysia as of January 1, 2021. Please contact Malaysian Immigration directly, through their Online Inquiry System at http://eapp.imi.gov.my/tanya/create or through the Malaysian Government call center (MyCGG) at 03-8000-8000, with any further questions.
COVID-19 Vaccine
As part of our efforts to give U.S. citizens timely information so that they can make informed choices about travel abroad, please note the United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas should follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Malaysian Entry Requirements, Quarantine Process, and Immigration Services
For additional information, please visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.
COVID-19 Information
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.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 – Avoid All Travel Travel Health Notice for Malaysia. The Department of State Travel Advisory for Malaysia is Level 3 – “Reconsider Travel” due to COVID-19.
Actions to Take:
- Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
- Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
- Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
- Check with your airline or travel operator regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security. Review what the State Department can and cannot do for you during an international crisis.
- Visit our Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
- Visit keeping workplaces, homes, schools, or commercial establishments safe.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 60-3-2168-5000
KLACS@state.gov
https://my.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Malaysia Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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