U.S. Embassy in Malaysia

U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Health Alert

Event: COVID-19

Location: Malaysia

(Update) Nationwide Full Movement Control Order (FMCO)

Malaysia is currently under a nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) from May 12 through May 31.  The Prime Minister’s Office announced on May 29 that from June 1-14, Malaysia will move to Phase One of a Full Movement Control Order (FMCO).  FMCO Phase One will be a “total lockdown” during which only essential sectors identified by the Malaysian National Security Council will be allowed to operate.

Phase Two of the FMCO will be implemented once there is a reduction in daily COVID-19 cases, and will be in effect for a minimum of four weeks following the end of Phase 1.  During Phase 2, additional economic sectors will be allowed to reopen.

Phase Three of the FMCO will return to a lighter lockdown similar to the Movement Control Order in effect throughout Malaysia from May 12-31, during which social activities will remain prohibited but nearly all economic sectors may resume operations following strict SOPs and social distancing requirements.

The Ministry of Health will assess when to progress to each phase of the FMCO based on daily COVID-19 numbers and hospital capacity.

The National Security Council has not yet announced FMCO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Phase One, which should eventually be available on their website here.

Inter-district and Interstate Travel
Individuals who need to cross district or state borders, including for travel to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, must obtain police or employer authorization prior to traveling. The police authorization form to cross states is available here. If you are considering traveling across district or state borders, please consult with local police directly for specific guidance and do not wait until the last minute to request your police authorization letter.  If your travel is related to your employment, consult with your employer on the necessary documentation and when in doubt, check with local police as well.

Review MCO 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 restrictions, please check with local police directly

COVID-19 Test Requirement for Travel to the United States
Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

International commercial flight options remain available in Malaysia.  U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible.  The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Malaysia.  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.  In addition to the CDC COVID-19 test requirement, some airlines may have additional requirements; check your airline’s COVID-19 requirements prior to traveling.

COVID-19 Testing in Malaysia
For more information on COVID-19 testing in Malaysia, please visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow Malaysian developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations.  For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Malaysia, please visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 or Malaysia’s National Immunization Website.  U.S. citizens who would like to be vaccinated but do not wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through Malaysia’s national vaccine program should consider returning to the United States to obtain the vaccine.

American Citizen Services
You will be notified via email if your American Citizen Services appointment is cancelled.  We plan to allow collection of U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Births Abroad during the scheduled times indicated in our collection confirmation email, although this is subject to change depending on FMCO restrictions.  If you wish to cancel an existing consular appointment, please do so via our online appointment system or notify us at KLACS@state.gov.  Please note that the U.S. Embassy is closed on May 31, 2021 for Memorial Day.

IMPORTANT:  Depending on your location, Malaysian police authorization may be required to travel to the Embassy as interstate travel and inter-district travel is restricted.  Reach out directly to your local police 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 routine consular services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, including appointments for all nonimmigrant visas, are suspended due to the FMCO in effect in Kuala Lumpur. Although routine consular services are suspended, we will accommodate limited emergency appointments for U.S. passports, CRBAs, and exceptional notarial services.  Please complete this form https://bit.ly/2SPVSFf to request an appointment, making sure to note in detail any urgent circumstances.

We will announce any further changes in our consular services via alerts to registered U.S. citizens in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and on our Embassy website.

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 website 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 4 – “Do Not Travel” due to COVID-19.

Actions to Take: