U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Health Alert
November 9, 2020
Event: COVID-19
Location: Malaysia
Recovery Movement Control Order
On August 28, 2020, the Prime Minister announced an extension of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) through December 31, 2020. The Malaysian Ministry of Defense instituted a mandatory mask requirement effective August 1, 2020. Failure to comply with any of the RMCO restrictions, including the mask requirement, may result in a fine of RM 1,000 (USD $235) or more, and/or jail time.
(NEW!) Conditional Movement Control Orders
While general restrictions have been relaxed during the RMCO, specific “red zones” with higher numbers of COVID-19 cases may be placed under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). On November 7, the Government of Malaysia announced an extension of the CMCO in effect in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Sabah. The CMCO will now remain in effect until December 6. Additionally, the CMCO has been broadened to include the states of Kedah, Perak, Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Johor, and Terengganu. The following restrictions will continue to be enforced:
- Prohibition on inter-district travel. Those who need to cross borders must present their employee pass or a letter of permission from their employer;
- Only two members of a household may leave the house to buy necessities;
- All schools, higher education institutions, training institutes, kindergartens, childcare centers, public parks and recreational centers will be closed;
- Mosques and other non-Muslim places of worship will also be closed;
- Most sports, recreational, social and cultural activities including weddings are prohibited; and
- Entertainment centers and nightclubs will not be allowed to operate.
Sabah and Sarawak
Additional entry requirements may apply for travel to the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which have local autonomy over immigration at domestic and international ports of entry. For detailed requirements on traveling to Sabah or Sarawak, please contact the local immigration authorities directly.
Sarawak state authorities announced on October 9 that beginning on October 10, all travelers to Sarawak will be required to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 testing and fourteen-day quarantine at a government facility. Previously some travelers, including Sarawakians, were permitted to self-quarantine.
Additionally, a travel ban to and from Sabah will be in place through December 6.
Consular Services
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 are suspended due to the CMCO. Please complete this form https://bit.ly/2SPVSFf to request an emergency appointment, making sure to note the nature of your emergency. We are allowing collection of U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Births Abroad (CRBA) from 2-4 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with no appointment required.
PLEASE NOTE that the Royal Malaysian Police have advised that travelers from outside Kuala Lumpur may not be permitted to enter Kuala Lumpur during the CMCO for the sole purpose of obtaining Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy. Further questions regarding this policy and the process of obtaining authorization for inter–district travel should be directed to your local police.
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 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 3 – Avoid Non-Essential Travel– Notice for Malaysia. The State Department has moved away from its previous Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel and each country will return to issuing its own advisory based on local conditions once again. As of August 6, 2020, Malaysia is listed as Level 3 – “Reconsider Travel”.
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 theCDC’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.govto 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-19for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’swebsite 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.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
