Malaysia to reopen to international travellers

More than three-quarters of Malaysia’s 32 million population are vaccinated

In an effort to revive the country’s ailing tourism sector, the Malaysian government has announced that it will reopen its borders to international travellers by 1 January 2022.

The Southeast Asian country has gradually reopened its economy in recent weeks as coronavirus infection rates have slowed amid a ramped-up vaccination programme.

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs a council tasked with spearheading Malaysia’s economic recovery programme, said the tourism industry was recovering too slowly but noted that operators needed time to resume business.

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Though borders will reopen, infection control measures such as Covid-19 tests will remain in place. Authorities will determine entry based on the Covid-19 situation in originating countries and other factors. 

Malaysia also recently announced that it would launch a vaccinated travel lane with neighbouring Singapore on 29 November 2021, allowing quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated people between both countries.