Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has announced further relaxation of Malaysia’s COVID-19 rules which will take into effect from 1st May 2022. Starting this coming Sunday, face masks are no longer required for outdoor settings, while MySejahtera check-ins are no longer required for premises and public areas.
Face masks only required for indoor setting
According to the new SOP, face masks are only required for indoor settings which include public transport such as buses, trains and eHailing rides. Face masks can be removed indoors in certain situations such as eating, exercising alone, giving a speech or performing on stage.
Face masks are no longer required outdoors but it is still encouraged in crowded areas and for high-risk individuals. This includes outside your home or office, waiting at bus stops, parks, fields and open-air walkways and bridges.
The Ministry of Health highly recommends that you wear a face mask outdoors if you’re showing symptoms or going to crowded outdoor venues such as Ramadan Bazaars, Pasar Malam and Stadiums. High-risk individuals including senior citizens, immunocompromised or having comorbidities are urged to wear a face mask outdoors.
At the moment, wearing a face mask outdoors is not required for specific situations. According to the latest SOP published by the National Security Council dated 7th March 2022, face masks are mandatory in public areas except for:
- Hotel or accommodation for yourself and household members
- Individual working space
- Sports and recreational activities
- Own vehicle which includes same household members
- Indoor and outdoor public spaces or areas without other individuals
- Having meals or drinks in public spaces (besides restaurants or eateries).
No more MySejahtera check-in but app still required to show risk status
One of the most anticipated announcements is the MySejahtera app requirement. Effective 1st May 2022, MySejahtera check-in is no longer required to enter premises or public spaces. On top of that, all individuals regardless of vaccination status including the unvaccinated are allowed to enter starting this coming Sunday.
However, don’t uninstall your MySejahtera app just yet and it is still required to display your COVID-19 health status. This is to prohibit COVID-19 positive individuals with High-Risk status from entering the premises. All premise owners are still required to check visitors’ risk status at the entrance.
Malaysia has gradually lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions when it started its “transition to the endemic phase” on 1st April. This includes the reopening of international borders with no quarantine required for fully vaccinated individuals. Since 15th April, Malaysia has been recording less than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases daily.
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