MCO: How to apply for interstate travel online via Gerak Malaysia

[ UPDATE 2/05/2020 23:00 ]: Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that interstate travel will be permitted between 7th to 10th May 2020. The Royal Malaysia Police will provide more details at a later date.

[ UPDATE 26/04/2020 20:00 ]: Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has clarified that the government has yet to provide a green light for the 1st to 3rd May travel dates. Cabinet approval is required before interstate travel is allowed. Applicants can still apply via Gerak Malaysia. More details here.

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During the movement control order (MCO), the Royal Malaysia Police is granting a one-time permission to allow those that are currently at their hometowns to return to the city starting from 1st May. However, those that plan to travel must request for permission and it can be applied via the Gerak Malaysia app.

For hometown to city travel only

As highlighted by the police, this permit will be granted to those that are stuck at their hometowns right before MCO is imposed and are wanting to return to their respective homes or workplace in the city. Balik kampung or travel from the city to hometowns are strictly not allowed during the MCO.

Applications are open from 12.01am today, 26th April until 29th April 2020.

Download Gerak Malaysia

The easiest way to apply is via the Gerak Malaysia smartphone app. You can download the app from the links below:

iPhone – Apple AppStore
Android – Google Play Store
Huawei (without GMS) – Huawei AppGallery

For those who don’t have access to smartphones may request written permission at their nearest police stations. To avoid overcrowding, they must make an appointment by phone before going to the station.

Registration

The registration process is pretty straight forward. All you’ll need is to provide the following:

1. Mobile number verification – Just enter your mobile number and key in the 6-digit TAC that’s sent to you via SMS.
2. Profile your personal details such as Full Name, residential address, IC number and email. Note: This is your residential address in the city, not your current hometown location.

Gerak Malaysia is a contact tracing app that uses location data. During the registration process, you’ll need to grant the app access to your phone’s GPS and location services. The information will help ascertain the location of applicants which will help the police to track population movement.

Request for permission to travel interstate

Once registration is completed, the app will allow you to generate QR codes. To apply for interstate travel, you’ll have to click on “Interstate Travel” which is the last option. Note: There’s no final confirmation, your request will be recorded the moment you tap on that button. Do not tap on it unless you’re planning to travel between states.

After submitting the request to travel, the police will provide more guidelines and instructions on Wednesday, the 29th of April 2020. The QR code will be generated automatically if your application is approved.

It is likely that you’ll need to provide more travel details including your final destination and the number of people that will be travelling with you as highlighted by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The app can also be used to generate QR code for those wanting to buy essential items (within 10km radius), perform essential activities (e.g. car or home repair), seek medical treatment or for emergency situations (e.g. death of family member).

For now, the police is using the app to handle the application process for interstate travel. In the near future, the app’s QR code can be used at roadblocks to speed up checks and at hospitals to help frontliners assign people to the right queue based on risk level.

When can you travel?

To ease the movement of people during the 3-day period, the police has provided a schedule to manage interstate travel depending on location.

1st May 2020 (Friday) – From Perak, Johor and Kelantan

2nd May 2020 (Saturday) – From Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Melaka and Pahang

3rd May 2020 (Sunday) – From Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu

If your application is successful, you must only travel on the approved date. The police will be scanning the Gerak Malaysia QR code at the roadblocks. Below is the full press release from the Royal Malaysia Police.

[ UPDATE 26/04/2020 20:00 ]: As highlighted by the Senior Minister, the government has not yet approved the proposed 1st to 3rd May travel dates.

[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]

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